Why India needs a national counter IED policy, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• The Red Fort blast on November 10 involved a mixture of ammonium nitrate and triacetone triperoxide (TATP), highlighting the threat of IEDs.
• IEDs are favored by terrorists due to low risk for perpetrators and easy fabrication from readily available materials.
• National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC) of NSG serves as the central repository for all bomb blast data in India.
• There's a declining trend in IED blasts in conflict zones like Jammu & Kashmir and Naxal areas, but new challenges like drone-dropped sticky bombs have emerged.

Detailed Insights:

• An IED typically comprises a container, power source, initiator, switch, and explosives, often enhanced with materials like ball bearings to increase harm.
• The type of explosives used in an IED (military-grade, commercial, or homemade) and the triggering mechanism offer clues about the responsible terror groups.
• In Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, a concerning trend is the use of drones from Pakistan to drop prefabricated sticky bombs (magnetic IEDs).
• While PESO effectively monitors commercial explosives, pilferage at the end-user level, especially in insurgency-prone areas, remains a challenge.
• A National Counter-IED Policy is needed to address both strategic and tactical aspects of combating the IED threat, including precursor chemical control.

Key Concepts Involved:

• IED (Improvised Explosive Device): A bomb fabricated in an improvised manner using commercially available, non-military grade materials.
• PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation): An organization that monitors the production, supply chain, and usage of explosives in India.
• ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil): A widely used homemade explosive made from ammonium nitrate fertilizer and fuel oil.