Intelligence fails before will of terrorists

kolkata: terrorists have struck in the heart of kolkata in broad daylight - and they managed to ride away in complete ease after killing four people and injuring 17 others. on hindsight, the police personnel guarding the american center were in fact sitting ducks. the irony of it all is that intelligence officials had ample indication of a possible attack on american centre.in fact, on tuesday, six personnel were supposed to take position on top of tata centre to maintain vigil. the only problem: they had the six had no binoculors or communication equipment with them. even if they had seen the action, they had no way of alerting headquarters. deputy commissioner of police (special branch) gourav dutt told tnn that in the wake of the incident, security in and around all categories of vital installations have been beefed up. this invariably boils down to deployment of force, but many a time, the force have little idea of the challenges they face. city's intelligence bosses feel that by attacking the american centre, the terrorists have delivered a loaded message. the time of attack, according to them is significant. the police did get a tip-off that there could be attacks on the england cricket team. now the attack has come before the republic day celebrations. the message is clear. they are able to strike at will, dutt said. the officials are not ruling out the asif reza khan angle altogether. khan was associated with partha roy burman abduction and was killed in an encounter. but if today's killing was merely retaliatory, why would the terrorists choose american center, dutt asked. security personnel are looking into both the angles: the asif reza khan retaliation angle and the anti-us terrorism angle. dutt feels that certain security drills need to be reviewed. it is normal to change the timing for vip movement. we can think about taking similar measures. meanwhile, dumbfound at the terrorist attack, the first of its kind in the metropolis, the police constables posted at the american center are yet to recover from the shock of seeing four of their colleagues dying in a spray of bullets. it was a horrifying experience for 23-year old r. sarkar of the 5th battallion who had recently joined kolkata armed police force. he is in a state of shock and could not find words at the sskm hospital, where he had come to admit his colleagues. after some persuasion, he haltingly narrated the gruesome morning scene, which had left him numb. it was early morning and our shift was almost over. we were waiting for the relievers to arrive, when four persons in two motorcyles came as if from nowhere and started firing indiscriminately with automatic weapons, he said. the police arrangement at the american center had been stepped up since september. (uni)