Secret missions shouldn’t be openly scrutinized
The Congress-led UPA Government's decision to have the Intelligence Bureau probe allegations that a secret wing of the Indian Army had successfully conducted covert operations on foreign soil, threatens to open a can of worms which should have best remained sealed. Since the move comes after former Chief of Army Staff VK Singh revealed that the Technical Support Division of the Army had been involved in such tasks — as well as funding ‘nationalist' politicians in Jammu & Kashmir in activities that were meant to counter the insurgents operating in the State with support from elements in Pakistan — and the brouhaha that resulted thereafter, the Government's decision to involve the Intelligence Bureau will be seen as designed to not just embarrass General Singh but also fix him eventually. However, in its enthusiasm to do so, the Centre is risking the exposure of covert operations that our Armed Forces resort to in a bid to gain the upper hand in tackling militancy in the country and countering anti-India forces that operate from abroad. Given their nature, such secret missions are rarely discussed in public, let alone put to open scrutiny. Yet, this is what will happen after the Intelligence Bureau begins the task the regime has foolishly mandated it to do. Vested interests from within this Government have in the recent past leaked to a select media secret documents relating to the functioning of the Armed Forces; nothing stops them from doing so again once the inquiry by the Intelligence Bureau begins. For these people, national interest is way below the need to grind a personal axe. This is not the first time that the Centre will be using one investigation agency against the other to score political points, even if that results in secret and classified material spilling out in the open and compromising national security. The Congress-led regime had provoked the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the functioning of the Intelligence Bureau in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case. It was only after senior officials of the Bureau strongly protested that the Government decided to go slow.
While the functioning of the TSD — now disbanded — can be a subject of discussion, there is a red line that must not be breached. Those involved in the functioning of the Armed Forces in States like Jammu & Kashmir recognise that line. It is not a coincidence that, while politicians like Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have called for a probe into the revelations that Gen Singh made, Union Minister for Defence AK Antony has maintained a dignified silence. He knows better than to publicly discuss sensitive matters. As a responsible politician, Mr Abdullah must desist from playing into the hands of disruptive elements. let it not be forgotten that anti-India forces, both within the country and abroad, especially in Pakistan, are certain to exploit the recent developments to their advantage, just as they had done over irresponsible statements that had come from some Congress leaders in the wake of terrorist attacks in the country. The Union Government is committing a grave error by giving such people a fresh handle to embarrass the country. The Centre should by all means enforce accountability in the functioning of secret agencies, but not by making a public display.