Secret document on VVIP security states Maoists had enough military intelligence to bring down 'Enemy' aircraft
Secret document on VVIP security states Maoists had enough military intelligence to bring down 'Enemy' aircraft
In the first-ever incident in post-Independence history, a chief minister went missing, when Andhra CM YSR Reddy's chopper disappeared near Nallamalla forest in the state at 9.35 am yesterday.
While National Security Advisor M K Narayanan ruled out the possibility of a Naxal attack and blamed a technical snag or a pilot error that could have led to the chopper going missing, after an hour after it took off, a disturbing top-secret report available exclusively with MiD DAY indicates otherwise.
Less than two months ago, the four-page report on VVIP security was dashed off to state intelligence agencies across the country.
Dispatched by one of the central intelligence agencies, which cannot be named for security reasons, but includes the Research and Analysis Wing, the Intelligence Bureau, military intelligence and the newly formed National Intelligence Agency, the document warns of the necessity to take precautions during aerial visits of VVIPs and VIPs over Naxal territory to prevent possible attacks on helicopters or aircraft.
Guerilla warfare
The report (a copy is available with MiD DAY) was sent out on July 8 and indicates that intelligence agencies had recovered a book, Guerilla Air Defense: Anti-aircraft weapons and techniques for guerilla forces, published by Palladin Press, USA, from CPI (Maoist) cadres recently.
The book describes techniques of 'passive air defense' such as 'camouflaging and silencing radios' and 'active air defense' such as engaging 'enemy' aircraft or helicopters'.
More alarmingly, the report says the book talks about how to: 'Engage enemy helicopters with small weapons when they are hovering or moving slowly.
Target the hub of the rotor blade of a chopper so that the bullets drop into the engine after hitting the chopper and incapacitate it'. The book also provides a DOI on converting a Light Machine Gun into an effective anti-aircraft weapon.
Tellingly, the report specifically mentions Andhra Pradesh and attacks on the 'Greyhounds' of the AP police. Incidentally, the Greyhounds were sent to the Nallamalla area around 5 pm in a search and combat operation.
While it cannot be confirmed whether the state intelligence sources in Andhra Pradesh received the report and therefore took it seriously, in Maharashtra, DCP Davendra Rajyavardhan from the Special Branch 1 of the Mumbai police said any information in connection with VIP security was always shared.
u00a0
"Intelligence inputs are always taken very seriously and areu00a0 never ignored, but then, a lot depends on local unit commanders."
u00a0
State intelligence agencies include the home ministry, the local police beginning with the DGP, the SP (if it's a rural case) and the district collector among others.
Earlier warnings
Eleven senior officers in Mumbai have been warned about how left-wing extremists have acquired technical information to incapacitate a helicopter.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sent out by one of the agencies, part of the conglomerate that comprises central intelligence agencies, had warned all intelligence units across the country of a possible Maoist attack on a VIP who may be in a helicopter.
The four-page report, which also talks about the possibilities of LeT, LTTE terror attacks, talks about how left wing extremists, specifically the CPI (Maoists) has technical intelligence to bring down a helicopter.
Section of the report includes attacks on the Greyhounds (special forces) of Andhra Pradesh police. The document further mentions about large-scale procurement of explosive and flame-tipped arrows for aerial strikes.
Intelligence officials have recovered a book Guerrilla Air Defence from the CPI (Maoist). The book deals with threat posed by use of air power.
The book throws light on counter measures to resist and repulse attacks by security forces using air power.
Intelligence officers have clinching evidence of a Central Committee circular (December 2007) in which the cadre has been advised to plant claymore mines at helipads and landing sites.
u00a0
They were asked to adopt improvised air attacks techniques using tripod-mounted machine guns on tree stumps to neutralise attacks by security forces or bring down helicopters.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
