India elaborates new rules for protecting critical infrastructure
India is worried about the safety if its critical infrastructure, especially the vulnerability of the infrastructure to terorist and suicide attacks; new protection rules formulated
Worries about the safety of critical infrastructure assets is not unique to the United States. It is thus not surprising that India has prepared an elaborate security dossier to counter “fidayeen” (terrorist or suicide) attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure. The plan also addresses new threats related to cybersecurity and nuclear bombs falling into the wrong hands. After consultation with security and intelligence agencies from other countries, the Indian Intelligence Bureau (IB) has produced a 150-page manual on the security of critical infrastructure, with one chapter devoted to “fidayeen attacks.” In its introductory remarks to the manual, the IB says the original manual (issued in 1961) prescribing guidelines had to be revised in view of the new threats from terrorists, agents of hostile countries, anti-national elements and cyber terrorists.
The document defines critical infrastructure, for which the manual prescribes security measures, as “systems and assets so vital to the nation that their destruction, fully or partially, would affect the security and safety of a larger section of society.” Critical infrastructure specified in the manual includes nuclear and space installations, oil and gas installations, power plants, main power grids, major dams, defense installations and research organizations, chemical plants, major ports, major airports, mass transport transit systems, strategic surface transport, bullion and security printing press, telecommunication, and information technology.
As we said above, the document includes a chapter elaborating on the characteristics of “fidayeen,” and the manual advises security agencies to understand that they operate in secrecy and in small groups, believe in swift action, and usually have complete information on the infrastructure. The document says terrorists win over security personnel or plant their own men in the security system. The manual says fidayeen are highly self-motivated, brutal, believe in do-or-die and not surrendering, and have expertise in using cover.
