15.2.12

Of Magnet bombs....







The magnet bomb attack on an Israeli diplomat’s wife in Delhi on Monday marks a new challenge for the security establishment which is already struggling to cope with the formidable task of countering terror. It was the first instance of a magnet bomb—also called limpet bombs because of the way they can be stuck to vehicles of unsuspecting targets-—being used in the country, and it spells a new worry. The attack on Tal Yehoshua Korene, wife of Israel’s defence attache, diverges from the pattern of terror India has seen so far as it targeted an individual. Terror groups arrayed against India have been focused on attacks aimed at maximizing casualties, with bombs always being set off in crowded places. Union home minister P Chidambaram refrained from spelling out the suspected source of the attack on the Israeli woman, whose condition is critical, but he confirmed that it was a terror strike. He also said the attacker was well-trained, but refused to point fingers at anyone. The targeting of individuals can present security agencies with fresh complexities in a scenario where only those having Z-plus and Z security cover are buffered against the use of magnet bombs.

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