A serious breach in security

IT IS STILL not very clear what actually happened at the official residence of the Navy Chief, Admiral Sushil Kumar. Apart from the Delhi police probing the breach of security in the VVIP area, the Navy has ordered its own court of inquiry. The basic question now is: `was there an intruder?' Some of the preliminary details - the shell or the bullet which pierced a commando's thigh has not been recovered and the Delhi police were not let in for at least 90 minutes - have raised serious doubts about the whole incident. Unless the Navy and the security guards on duty fully cooperate with the police and come clean on what happened, it may be difficult to piece all the elements together. Considering that the Naval Chief's residence on Rajaji Marg is not very far from the Prime Minister's residence and that the Navy Day is being celebrated on Monday, it is of paramount importance for the investigations to proceed swiftly and smoothly. All top dignitaries starting from the President and the Prime Minister to the military top brass and the diplomatic corps - the capital's elite - will be at Admiral Sushil Kumar's house for the annual party.

The shootout had taken place just after midnight on Thursday night. The Commando on duty, Satbir Singh, who was shot at, returned the fire with 21 bullets - and yet the `intruder' escaped. A metre-long wire and Cordex kept in a polythene bag were found on the lawn. Before reaching any other conclusion, the investigation must first focus on whether there was any intruder at all or the intrusion was made up by the security personnel. The onus is very much on them to establish that there was an intruder. It is quite possible for an intruder to gain entry from the neighbouring bungalow, as is being made out by the security staff. But that begs the question who is to take care of security in the environment. It is only when such an incident takes place that the gaps in the security mechanism come to light. The whole issue of security in high-risk VVIP bungalows, patrolling in the area and the need for alarms when there is a breach has to be examined afresh. If it is possible for an intruder to enter the Naval Chief's house, it could be even easier to launch an attack from outside. At a time when the serious challenge to peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir is being played out by the Government, the intelligence and security agencies cannot afford to take chances with the security of key personnel.

Some months ago, the Home Ministry reviewed the whole question of extending proximate security to top politicians and officials on the hit list of militant and terrorist groups. This is a continuing exercise, based on intelligence and other developments. Similarly, a periodic review of security arrangements in VVIP areas, residences of top leaders and officials, government institutions and security installations has to be undertaken to assess the security risk. A recent exercise at some of the international airports exposed the total lack of security and the decoys were able to smuggle in weapons and explosives. This is the kind of experiment that needs to be carried out frequently in all places under threat so that the efficiency of the security personnel on duty and the status of the equipment in use can be put to the test. Too often, security instead of being effective and relevant seems to be governed by protocol and considerations of influence and prestige. Perhaps, the Group of Ministers going into the Subrahmanyam committee report and the National Security Council can address the question of security as well, to evolve a foolproof security system and create a mechanism to test it as often as necessary.

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