In wake of Uri attack, Israel offers solution for beefing up border security; Indian officials tread cautiously

An Israeli military expert credited for developing solutions for securing borders has said that an integrated approach coupled with a maze of initiatives can only prevent cross-border strikes on Indian installations. In the wake of Uri attack, killing 18 soldiers and an earlier terrorists striking the Pathankot airbase , Col (rtd) Ram Dor, a cyber security expert said replicating the Israeli experience starting from procurement of intelligence to putting up sensors, cameras and UAVs linking them with a single command and control centre having direct control over the special forces could the answer to effectively plug borders and prevent infiltrations.

The former military officer, who has served at key positions in Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), said his country, famed for its prowess in developing innovative solutions cyber security was, willing to partner India to thwart cyber threats, protect borders, create safe and smart cities and also devise homeland security technologies and solutions.

In the wake of the Uri and Pathankot terror attacks, allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based JeM terrorists after crossing the border, the issue of ensuring zero infiltration is on top of mind of security establishment. Interestingly, in November 2014, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had visited one of the border outposts in Gaza and was “greatly impressed” by the technology used in the highly sophisticated border security system of Israel which includes high-quality long-range day cameras along with night observation systems employing third generation thermal imagers. The Fence is also fitted with electronic touch and motion sensors as well as underground sensors which use seismic systems to detect any tunnelling attempts below the fence for intrusion.

The Israeli border fencing along West Bank, Gaza and Egypt also consists of latticed steel, topped and edged with razor wire, extending at least two metres below ground and in some sections reaching seven metres above the ground. In certain “dark areas” where fencing was not possible, Israel is using radars and UAVs which transmit directly to the command and control centre, manned round the clock by Israeli military lady officers, who are in constant touch with special forces on ground.

“As a small country, Israel’s existence depends on its vigilance and its ability to provide an effective, measured response to evolving domestic and foreign threats. Innovative systems and solutions have been created in order to meet these goals. Today, these advanced, fully-developed and tested capabilities are also securing many of Israel’s allies and partners throughout the world,” he told dna.

Stating that having faced the issue of safeguarding its borders for many years now, he said that Israel has developed the technological expertise for this. "We started in the north with Lebanon with a simple fence with very minor sensors," Dor said. "Then we developed the second stage when we developed our border between Israel and Jordan-Sumeria and on the Gaza Strip," he stated. Following this, he said, the third layer was developed which he described as "the most advanced one", which was with Syria. "We have three layers starting with intelligence trying to bring in an alert whenever there is an attack coming in, going into the level that we can cover as much area as we can with all types of sensors," Dor said.

Despite accounting for one-tenth of one percent of the world’s population, Israel has attracted some 20% of the global private investment in cyber security. While addressing the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was punching a whopping 200 times above its weight.  “So Israel is also a global cyber power. If hackers are targeting your banks, your planes, your power grids and just about everything else, Israel can offer indispensable help,” he said.

Echoing his prime minister, Col Ram Dor said Israel is experiencing some 1.5 to 5 million attacks every day on its cyber space, which includes fishing, virus etc. But a strong system has been thwarting them constantly.

Indian officials are, however, treading cautiously to Israeli offers, with the Home Ministry here having burnt fingers in procuring 32,766 telescopic night vision devices (NVDs) for the paramilitary forces during previous UPA government soon after 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a prestigious public sector undertaking which had bagged the contract, claimed that it had developed a state-of-the-art NVD based on XD-4 technology, in technical collaboration with Prizmatech, a subsidiary of Star Defence Systems, Israel.  But they failed to give desired results at the trials conducted by the BSF in Gurgaon.