Centre to focus on human intel
It is back to the basics for the intelligence agencies as the Centre is formulating key strategies to bolster the “human intelligence” network (HUMINT) in the country to meet growing terror threats.
With gathering ‘’ground level’’ intelligence becoming a major problem area, the Union home ministry is working on a pilot project to revitalise the “village intelligence network” in states. The intelligence officers will also be trained in ‘’agent’’ recruitment and handling. The MHA has taken up the issue of re-activating the defunct village level information systems at the highest level with the state governments.
“These systems are defunct in many states. The “Chowkidars” or “Village Defence Parties” play a vital role in passing on ground level intelligence. We have to revive these essential systems to strengthen the intelligence machinery,” a top intelligence official said. The MHA has told states that a dedicated intelligence cadre in the states can be trained in agent recruitment and handling that in turn will be able to sustain efforts to enhance HUMINT coverage. The move assumes significance at a time when successive terror attacks have taken place in five months despite the threat being available with the local police. A section within the security establishment are of the view that bolstering “human intelligence” generation should precede the creation of mammoth structures like the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
“Even if the NCTC is not formed, efforts are on to ensure a coherent multi-intelligence approach to all aspects of collection, processing and analysis,” a top intelligence official said.
The move also overlaps the Centre’s own efforts to strengthen the Multi Agency Centre, which was re-activated after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and functions under the Intelligence Bureau.
Post new comment