‘Naxals may be capable of striking cities’
Naxal leaders and bomb makers could develop a capability to strike at urban targets in India, a top US think tank warned, adding it will be important to watch for any indication that cadres are developing the “tradecraft” for urban terrorism.
Stratfor, a body which deals with strategic issues, however said that Naxalism is “fairly contained” in India. It expressed these views in a report while taking a “closer Look” at the Naxal problem in India, calling it as one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies.
Stratfor also cautioned against deploying the military, a suggestion made by some political leaders in India in the wake of spate of Naxal attacks in the recent months.
“Even if the government did decide to deploy the military to combat the Naxalites in eastern India, it would face a tough fight against a well-entrenched movement — something New Delhi is not likely to undertake lightly or any time soon,” it said.
Stratfor also noted that Naxalites are honing the capability to construct and deploy IEDs, conduct armed raids and maintain an extensive, agile and responsive intelligence network.
“Despite threats and indications from Naxalites that they will attack urban targets throughout India, the group has yet to demonstrate the intent or ability to strike outside of the Red Corridor. But the group’s leaders and bomb makers could develop such a capability, and it will be important to watch for any indication that cadres are developing the tradecraft for urban terrorism,” the think tank said. Stratfor said even if the Maoists do not expand their target set and conduct more “terrorist-type” attacks, the Naxalite challenge to the state could materialise in other ways. “The Naxalite organisation is a sophisticated one that relies not only on militant tactics but also on social unrest and political tactics to increase its power,” it noted. —PTI
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