“Threats From Non-state Actors Are Real And Imminent”

Eleven years ago, Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists used the sea route to strike at Mumbai. A decade after the horrific attacks, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral KARAMBIR SINGH says that the threat of seaborne attacks remains just as great now, even as the navy is working with multiple stakeholders to counter them. In this interview with Executive Editor SANDEEP UNNITHAN, Singh speaks about the seaborne threat of Pakistan-based non-state actors, the navy’s modernisation challenges and more

- Sandeep Unnithan

Q. On August 27, you said that the Jaishe-Mohammed (JeM) was training its cadre to carry out underwater attacks. Do you have intelligence about the presence of state actors involved in this?

A. Intelligence regarding training of cadres by JeM for underwater attacks has been received on various occasions in the past. Such training would not be possible without the involvement of state actors.

Q. What will your response be to an attack on Indian maritime assets by non-state actors? Does the navy have the locations of these training camps and will it be prepared to carry out strikes to take them out if called for?

A. I can assure you that our response to such misadventures, if any, will be strong and befitting.

Q. How severe is the above-mentioned threat by non-state actors acting with or without the support of state actors, and what measures has the Navy taken to safeguard the coastline?

A. The threats from non-state actors are, indeed, real and imminent. There have been increasing intelligence reports of threats to our offshore and coastal areas from non-state actors and this is a matter of concern for maritime agencies. Coastal security is a multi-stakeholder construct and the Indian Navy, along with the Indian Coast Guard, State Marine Police and other agencies, maintains layered presence in coastal and offshore areas. Mechanisms for focused operations, based on assessment and intelligence, have matured over time and we can collectively bring to bear our effort in quick time to respond to any threat at or from the sea.