INDIA
Union home minister P Chidambaram’s ambitious plan to restructure India’s security architecture is facing resistance from Intelligence Bureau (IB) director Nehchal Sandhu.
Union home minister P Chidambaram’s ambitious plan to restructure India’s security architecture is facing resistance. Intelligence Bureau (IB) director Nehchal Sandhu is not keen on two major initiatives that Chidambaram brought up nearly two years ago — the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
Sandhu believes the two will dilute the IB’s vast charter. This is ironical. Both men play a critical role in India’s security matrix and share a good and healthy relationship. While Chidambaram cannot suffer fools, Sandhu is one of the finest “operational” officers.
Sandhu has headed the operations desk of the IB for perhaps the longest period. He also spent the better part of his career combating terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir. That said, Sandhu is conscious of the fact that as IB director, he cannot be part of a move that will leave a truncated version of the organisation that he has served for over 30 years.
A few days after the Delhi blasts in September this year, Sandhu shot off a missive to his senior-most officers seeking concrete suggestions on how to improve the agency’s counter-terrorism efforts. He was worried that the IB had failed to anticipate the terror attacks. More so, after Chidambaram admitted that “there was no (prior) intelligence” available.
Sandhu immediately began a major shake-up and among other initiatives, sought suggestions from within the IB. The missive refers to improvements that have taken place within the American and British intelligence communities after 9/11.
It also cites the official history of the British Security Service (popularly known as MI5), ‘The Defence of the Realm’, published a few years ago.
Sandhu’s detractors say that his current efforts are also a subtle attempt to put off NATGRID and NCTC. Sources in the Union home ministry told DNA that Sandhu has consistently opposed both the projects. His opposition to the role that NATGRID will play is well known.
NATGRID was formed a couple of years ago to create a comprehensive information pool that connects 22 databases to facilitate real-time sharing of critical data. Chidambaram surprised many by roping in someone from the private sector - Captain Raghu Raman, who was part of the Mahindra Group, and has a solid background in security combined with extensive knowledge of creating information systems. But with almost a year of his two-year tenure over, Sandhu has been working furiously to leave behind a smarter IB with sharper focus on counter-terrorism. In fact, soon after he took over, he had transferred out several senior officials who had spent too much time in Delhi.
Many officers, at the level of additional directors, were posted out to their areas of responsibility to ensure they were more hands on with their focus areas. He also created new groups within the IB, including a special ‘research group’, that has some key officers taking a long-term perspective of the challenges that the IB will have to grapple with in the future.
Sandhu, sources said, views NATGRID with suspicion. According to senior officials, NATGRID would be a major encroachment on the IB’s established terrain and also put fetters on its free access tosensitive data such as phone call records, intercepted emails, financial data, etc., that the agency currently enjoys complete access to.
NATGRID will place elaborate protocols in place that seeks authentication of those who seek the information and also bars them from seeking anything that is beyond the set parameters. He is also not enamoured with the proposed NCTC as he feels that this could take away a major chunk of the IB’s current responsibilities. He wants the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), set up in 2003, but defunct for a while, strengthened to improve the information-sharing process with other security agencies. This works for him because the MAC is run by the IB with complete control.
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT plan for Jio users, offers unlimited 5G access for 1 year for just Rs...
IND vs AUS 1st Test: KL Rahul's dismissal sparks DRS controversy in Perth Test
Oreshnik Hypersonic Missile: Which nations are within its range?
Bihar teacher, principal reach school in drunken state; know what happened next
'I have faced a lot of...': Arjun Kapoor REVEALS his biggest fear amid break up with Malaika Arora
How millions of Indians may get affected due to US indictment of Gautam Adani in bribery case
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan says 'missing someone is okay but...'
After Bibles, watches and sneakers, Donald Trump is now selling autographed guitars, price is...
Delhi pollution: Air quality improves to ‘very poor’ category, AQI at...
Vladimir Putin's BIG threat, warns he could strike UK with new ballistic missile if...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 22, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
Somebody misbehaved with Alia Bhatt on Highway sets then Imtiaz Ali had to...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal reveals twist behind Rs 200000 job fee, closes application window
Days after Ratan Tata's demise, Tata Group's Rs 131000 crore company inks pact with ADB for...
WATCH: Woman makes Biryani with Parle-G biscuits, viral video fumes internet
Only train in India in which passengers can travel for FREE; check route, timings and more
'Justice for biryani': Parle-G biryani takes internet by storm, video goes viral
DNA TV Show: Why Gautam Adani charged with bribery and fraud in US
IND vs AUS: Records Virat Kohli can break during Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Diljit Dosanjh fans get angry over Ananya Panday's birthday post for her grandmother, here's why
Reddit suffers outage with ‘upstream connect error’ message, says 'currently investigating...'
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: How has Jasprit Bumrah fared in Tests in Australia?
Delhi records coldest night of the season, temp drops to...
Crossing the Line: Ukraine's Use of Storm Shadow Missiles and the Escalation of Conflict
When Malaika Arora talked about the controversial ‘instant pleasure’ ad, it was for…
This is the world’s most expensive shopping street, not Fifth Avenue, New Bond Street, it is...
Big setback for Gautam Adani, Kenya cancels Rs 6216 crore deal with Adani Group due to...
Viral video: Man’s jugaad to stay warm in winter will leave you SHOCKED, watch here
Hinduja Group firm gets key approval for acquisition of Anil Ambani's debt-ridden Reliance Capital
Viral video: Middle-Class man lives dream of having tea at Taj Hotel, netizens applauds
Shloka Mehta looks stunning in white floral kurta as she clicked with Akash Ambani, it costs Rs....
Who is Sagar Adani, Gautam Adani's nephew, accused of bribery, fraud charges in US?
IND vs AUS: Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins eye historic captaincy milestone in Perth Test
PayPal down: Several users face issue while logging into accounts, say 'no one could...'
BGT 2024, Ind vs Aus: Can Shubhman Gill be the new Cheteshwar Pujara? Is he really ready?
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Gifting: Discover Heirloom Pashmina by Pashmina.com
Effortless Relocations: The Perks Of Professional Removalists In Melbourne
Watch: Pakistan fan with 'Imran Khan' poster asked to leave Hobart stadium in Australia
International Criminal Court issues arrest warrant against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for...
What is demisexuality? Everything you need to know about this lesser-known sexual orientation
WATCH: World’s shortest woman meets world’s tallest woman, video goes viral
IND vs AUS 1st Test: Predicted playing XIs, Perth weather forecast and pitch report
IND vs AUS: When will Rohit Sharma join India squad? Check latest update
'Scam 2024': Diljit Dosanjh lookalike pranks people on Pune streets, video goes viral
Delhi Air Pollution: Centre announces staggered work timings for govt employees; check details
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio loses nearly 80 lakh subscribers in just 30 days, BSNL adds...
IND vs AUS, 1st Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs Australia match
This country has most expensive passport in world, not US, UK, UAE, it costs Rs...
Amitabh Bachchan opens up on Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan divorce rumours
Amid rising air pollution, Delhi-NCR's crematorium records cleanest air; check AQI here
Revolutionising Medical Imaging: Venudhar Rao Hajari’s impact on healthcare technology
Abhishek Gupta and Onevision Media: Scaling brands on social media
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
No mention of Aaradhya Bachchan in Amitabh Bachchan's post on birthdays, it happened recently
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details