India’s security environment impacted by external factors: PM

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday said India’s security environment was impacted by a large number of external factors “not really within our control” and modern-day terrorism was now often driven by a bold and educated class of terrorists. Speaking at the 27th Raising Day of the Special Protection Group (SPG), the Prime Minister said modern day terrorism today had acquired new forms and new shapes and was often driven by a bold and educated class of terrorists. While security forces were seen and known and their actions mostly predictable, the new-age terrorists were invisible and possessed far greater capability to create networks for sharing knowledge, skills and resources, he said. Also, the activities of such terrorists were marked by the use of the latest technology as a force multiplier. “The security environment in our country today is also impacted by a large number of external factors which are not really within our control,” he said. He stressed the need for SPG to continue upgrading itself both in terms of technology and training and induct top quality and highly-motivated personnel in adequate numbers, provide them an environment that encourages good performance and equip them with the latest technology and skills to meet the ever emerging new challenges. He assured his Government’s full support to the force in its endeavours. Lauding the efforts of the SPG in serving the country with the highest levels of commitment and professionalism, the Prime Minister said the force had emerged as the premier organisation in the country in the area of VIP security. He said the SPG had excelled in discharging its duties which are often diffi cult, complex and stressful. “It has fully lived up to the expectations with which it was established,” Dr Singh said. Reminding the audience of the tragic circumstances in which the decision to set up the SPG was taken, the Prime Minister said the force was conceived as a highly specialised and trained outfi t of specially selected offi cers for providing round-the-clock and fool-proof security to the nation’s highest political leadership. The force was raised after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two bodyguards. “The security that the SPG is required to provide should be discreet andunobtrusive, and yet effective. The force must ensure the safety of political leaders who in reaching out to the masses sometimes tend to bypass the security chain,” he added. Dr Singh said the polity’s federal nature posed its own challenges in tying up security arrangements in the States. He expressed happiness that the organisation had been adopting innovative methods in training its personnel and acquiring security preparedness capabilities in line with international best practices. It had also been undertaking in-house Research and Development for improvements in technology and weaponry and possible measures to meet the threat of Nuclear Biological and Chemical warfare, the Prime Minister added.