CRPF needs second-hand US military vehicles to counter Maoist attacks

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) wants the Centre to purchase used mine-resistant and ambush-protected vehicles (MRAPs) from the US, which have already been deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. A message has been delivered to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), highlighting that the ever-growing sophistication in combat tactics of Maoists calls for urgent modernisation of the forces. The CRPF has recommended to the home ministry that purchasing these used MRAPs will be far less expensive than making new purchases.  “At present, the CRPF is facing attacks using IEDs, which are very basic in nature and generally found in jungle areas. Maoists are likely to come up with more technologically sophisticated IEDs in near future. Maoists may use these IEDs once they shift their movement to urban areas,” a CRPF note sent to the home ministry stated. “The US forces are withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan. These MRAPs are also being withdrawn and will be available in spare in the US,” the CRPF note said. The CRPF has urged the government to provide the force with equipment that can counter the IED threat. Other than the MRAPs, the CRPF has also listed equipment and technology that is needed to counter the high threat posed by IEDs. Explosive detectors or field labs to find IEDs will be effective in eliminating the menace. There have been nearly 450 deaths in the force due to IED explosions, and deaths in ambushes laid by the Maoists have accounted for more than 50 per cent of the killings in the force. Sources said that over the last few years, the rebels have switched to planting explosives rather than engaging in direct combat with the forces. “The strategy ensures that there is mass casualty and the risk of casualty on their side is much less,” a CRPF officer said. Till now, according to sources, they have been making IEDs which are of a localised nature, but with their expertise increasing the rebels have the potential to make a remote-controlled bomb that could cause much more damage. In the wake of this threat, the CRPF has written to the home ministry stating that the force needs a “futuristic approach.” “We should be ready to face the emerging challenges successfully,” the CRPF note said. The CRPF is also of the view that there is a need to develop forensic and biometric capabilities that can be used in field areas where different IEDs, explosive and remnants can be collected and scrutinised. It is also recommended that a “bomb library” like the one created in the US be started in India to analyse different kinds of explosives.

                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                         by-      idrw.org