India is not safe from a Louvre-type attack

The February 3 dastardly attack on a French policeman guarding the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris has drawn international attention amid incessant incidents of terror violence in France since the attacks on Charlie Hebdo of January 7, 2015, taking a toll of 17 innocents.

There has been no let-up since then, as peace kept on shattering in France at regular intervals. Notable major terror incidents included the Nice terror assault when a lorry ploughed through a crowd on July 14, 2016, on the occasion of Bastille Day commemorating the national day of France.

It would therefore appear from the emerging pattern of repeated violence in France that its intelligence and security apparatus are still imperilled, with chances of terrorists striking at their sweet will with opportune timing.

Another factor to be borne in mind is that almost all killings have been the handiwork of the North African lot. This time, in the Louvre attack, the assailant was an Egyptian called Abdullah (29) who used a machete to kill the French guard. (Providentially, Abdullah was incapacitated by the alert guard.)

Abdullah bought the machete in Paris soon after his arrival. Importantly, he got his French visa from the French consulate in Dubai. It would be interesting to know why France is so liberal in grant of visas to individuals belonging to North African countries.

Ordinarily, an Egyptian or any foreign national is accorded a visa from the French embassy in Cairo. Was due procedure not followed? Given the fact that countries like Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya et al have been complicit in terror attacks in France and Belgium, it called for greater discretion to allow someone to come to France. Sustained questioning needed to have preceded the grant of visa.

Indians, who are not at all involved in any terror attack in France, do not get European visas easily and it's a tough task to procure one, particularly if one is in the age group of Abdullah. Briefly, the evil axis of these countries' terrorists still exists, with the definite agenda to strike France and possibly Belgium whenever convenient. Still, as would appear from the available facts, due precaution was not taken.

Dwelling on terrorists belonging to the North African stock, it's worth recalling that in January 2002, two Dutch nationals of Moroccan origin, Ahmade el Bakiouli and Khalq al Massnoi, attempted to kill BSF guards in Srinagar. Luckily, the assailants were shot dead before any harm could be inflicted. It's therefore established that North African elements have been active for a long time and they continue to instill fear.

The February 3 attack on the Louvre Museum indicates that a lone terrorist, armed even with a primitive weapon, can wreak havoc. This also demonstrates that without any sophisticated weaponry or advanced training skills, one can easily hit one's target.

The ideology alone remains the driving and decisive force.

Importantly, the incident is not limited to France. India too is fraught with terrorist perils of similar nature. There are numerous popular tourist and religious spots drawing several thousands of pilgrims or tourists each day, making it possible for a terrorist to hit and disappear into thin air, notwithstanding tight and visible security deployment.

Going by the illustrations of terror assassination cases witnessed in recent history, it's the terrorist(s) who is always at the vantage point.

Egyptian president Anwar Sadat was fatally targeted in October 1981 in a victory parade at Cairo. Indira Gandhi was assassinated in October 1984 and Rajiv Gandhi's life was first attempted at in 1987 in Colombo by a Sinhala naval rating, during a guard of honour ceremony. Four years later, he was killed by the LTTE in May 1991.

There may be more examples like this. The highlight is the novel method employed in all these cases using different techniques, proving that terrorists and terror groups are far ahead of security thinktanks and are able to outwit the sentinels by their "out of box" planning and execution. 

Security analysts do not see any easy solution to such challenges and it's unlikely there would ever be a quick fix solution to meet this threat. A near perfect intelligence system and alacrity by the security detail can foil or minimise the chances of such attacks, as the alert French guard did in Louvre by neutralising Abdullah.

If this combo is not effectively put in place, then Louvre type incidents would possibly continue to be replicated not only in France but elsewhere too.

Also read: Will the next Islamic terror attack push France to the brink of civil war?