Bomb squad: A national requirement

Bomb explosion is going on without any effective measure against it. Unlike Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams of a developed country, we are equipped with hardly any plan, knowledge and experience. Usually, we find some army explosive experts come after a bomb explosion and collect relevant evidence for further action or carry the UXO (Unexploded Explosive Ordnance) to demolition range. But the terrorists are not under their disposal, they are under police investigation. The detection of a bomb before or after its planting has been ineffective in our country due to fast development of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) of the attackers who are trained in their subject. And of late they attacked with ordnance grenades. For an effective tackling of such hi-tech terrorist group, bomb squad has become a national requirement today. Most of the police stations in all the states of the USA are having dedicated bomb squads. Shouldn't we have at least one for the whole nation?

Incidents in record
Incidents of explosion are recurring in Bangladesh at short intervals with variety of bomb's size, power and operational technique. On Saturday, Awami League rally at Bangabandhu Avenue came under grenade attack killing at least 19 and injuring more than 200. Earlier on August 7, an AL meeting in Sylhet came under bomb attack killing one and on August 5 two cinema halls also in Sylhet came under bomb attack also killing one. Before that new British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury (Rt leg below knee), DC Abul Hossain (both legs) and over 100 people were injured in a powerful bomb blast at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) after Juma prayer on Friday, 21 May 2004.

Some more incidents are mentioned here. Bomb explosion during CPB meeting at Paltan on 20th January 1999, killed seven and injured more than 50 people. A couple of or more bombs were exploded at Ramna Batomool at Chhayanaut's traditional Bengali new year cultural function on April 14, 2001; 9 persons were killed and many others injured. Earlier on 6th March 1999, terrorists attacked a cultural programme of Udichi at Jessore Town Hall premises exploding bombs which killed 10 persons and injured many others.

On October 08, 1999 seven persons were killed and thirty others injured in a bomb blast at Ahmadia Masjid in Khulna. Ten persons were killed and many others injured in a bomb attack on a church at Baniarchang in Gopalganj on June 03, 2001. Only within a fortnight on June 15, 2001, 22 persons were killed and many injured in a bomb attack on the AL office at Narayanganj. On September 23, 2001, eight persons were killed and more than one hundred injured in a bomb attack at Mollahat in Bagerhat. Bomb blasts in four cinema halls at Mymensingh town killed 21 persons and injured many others on December 06, 2002. On January 17, 2003, seven persons were killed in a bomb blast at Tangail. On January 12 and May 21 2004, bomb blasts killed eight persons and injured many others at Shahjalal shrine, Sylhet.

Similar incidents at random are horrifying us but no remedial measure has yet been taken. Not less than 150 persons have been killed and 500 others injured, many of them disabled for life, in bomb blasts at different places of the country since March 1999, but none has been punished yet for these heinous crimes. These incidents obviously prove that huge quantities of explosives are now available in Bangladesh for making bombs and there are some well-trained people in the country who can easily make them. And now there added the availability of grenades. The intelligence agencies can hardly provide any warning about the incidents in anticipation. The follow-up actions (or inaction) after bomb incidents help the terrorists in some way or other. They manage 'safe den' and enjoy benefit of eyewash.

Nobody accepts the responsibility of any bomb explosion. The law enforcing agencies seem to be in doubt about the identity of the terrorists. Investigations are hardly revealing any fact. The government, without genuine evidence, put blame on the political opponents and vice versa, without any exception in the past or present. A propaganda offensive is usually launched immediately after each bomb blast. These greatly hinder the work of investigation agencies. The obvious attempt to fit the findings of the investigation to the political bias deviate the case from its logical course. In addition, there are serious logistic and resource constraints that are also hampering the functions of intelligence and investigating agencies.

General opinion
The general mass has been panic-stricken. They are to get rid of these terrorists. It is time to think of adequate preventive measures. Bomb explosion is killing simple and innocent people of the country very frequently. The terrorists are growing more powerful day-by-day and threatening the very efforts to punish them. It's an irony that the AL rally held to protest earlier bomb blasts was itself bombed on Saturday! We have to stop this by means of well-planned protective and preventive measures. For that, definitely Bomb Squad has become a national requirement, which can function as another independent wing of the law-enforcing agency. The Home Ministry officials discussed threadbare in this regard several times for years, but no concrete measure has yet been taken to control bomb explosion. It has become a problem of great magnitude in Bangladesh and therefore, it is high time for a well-thought-out pragmatic action to stop this mass-terrorising deadly menace.

Improvised explosive device (IED)
Now, bomb can be made to look like almost anything and can be placed or delivered in multiple ways. The task of finding a bomb that looks like anything is very difficult. Different commercial or military explosive are used and most of the bombs are home-made. They are limited by the imagination of the bombers and resources available to them. The attackers appear to be equipped with the latest development of knowledge and skill through training. To deal with such technical affairs, a systematic study by collecting data of past explosions has become very important. The revealed facts may form the basis of formulating the preventive measures commensurate with Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) adopted by the bomb planters. A well-organised bomb squad can only prove effective to take adequate preventive measures with various changes in the types of bomb and its ways and means of planting for explosion.

Common use of metal detector
The commonly used detecting device for clearing explosives here is basically a metal detector. But this device is incapable to detect the non-metallic ingredients and containers of bombs. Nowadays most of the bombs are made of plastic, C4, SEMTEX etc. The IED can be squarely dealt with only by a specialised group of personnel equipped with right type of logistic support, explosive detectors/vapour detector, training and experience. Again, it reminds us about formation of a national bomb squad.

Constitution of a bomb squad
Only a national bomb squad can be tasked to deal with every case squarely and promptly. Such bomb squad should comprise the following:

a. Handlers or bomb technicians including provision of automated robot (for special cases).

b. Radiography unit.

c. Post-blast research and analysis unit.

d. Intelligence unit for prevention.

e. K9 unit comprising of trained personnel and dogs.

Modern bomb squads are having HAC units as well. It is necessary to develop two separate and interdependent plans, namely, a Physical Security Plan and a Bomb Incident Plan. Physical Security Plan provides protection of property, personnel, facilities and material against unauthorised entry, damage, sabotage and other illegal or criminal acts. The bomb incident plan should provide detailed procedures to be implemented when an attack has been executed or threatened. In planning for it, a definite chain of command or line of authority must be established. Only by using an established organisation and procedures, the bomb incident can be handled with the least risk to all concerned. A clearly defined line of authority will build-up confidence and reduce panic.

Training for bomb squad
Training is essential to deal properly with bomb incidents. For ongoing EOD clearance operation or dealing with the post blast situation, special training is required. Only the suitable and dedicated personnel should be selected for training considering service length, age and aptitude to uphold national interest, specially for training abroad. The controller must be absolutely certain that all personnel assigned to stop this deadly menace are aware of their individual duties. The positive aspects of planning will be lost if the leadership is not prominent. It is also very important to organise and train an Evacuation Unit with appropriate equipment and apparel. It will be prompt to the need and have clear understanding of the importance of its role. This will obviously necessitate special training by experienced world-class instructors. As the National Director of IBA (International Bodyguard Association), Bangladesh Chapter, I feel obliged to arrange such training in classroom exercises and organise bomb squad as well to meet such national requirement.

Conclusion
Considering the panic-stricken condition in the country, the requirement of preventive measure deserves national priority. Bomb squad being a preventive measure against bomb explosion, has thus, become a national requirement. Through drill and repetition of practice, the bomb squad can reduce the accessibility of potential bomb-planter to our business, building and other vulnerable areas. This will reduce the time required for searching a bomb. Proper, planned and prompt action by the bomb squad after a bomb incident would help maintain confidence in the leadership, reinforce the notion that those who are in charges do care, and reduce personnel casualty and loss of property. Proper planning of the bomb squad can also reduce panic, the most awkward condition of all human emotions which greatly aggravates the possibility of personnel injury and damage to property. Before exposing ourselves to more devastating situations we should remember, "it's always better to take preventive measure than the curative one," especially on security issues of our nation.

Dr M A Kamal Yuree is editor of News Brigade (Defence & Security Journal) and is an expert in explosives, arms and ammunitions and selected trainer of government law enforcement and special agencies.