In the wake of rising global terrorism all over the world, the government of India has decided to set up a group of specialist persons to draft a plan to work against the threat of biological terrorism in future. Indian intelligence agencies have already issued a warning to the home ministry of possible biological terror attacks in different parts of the country.

According to the Intelligence and security agencies, their networks have intercepted the communications between possible terror groups that indicated the terrorists might use biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction in India.

The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier had said on the preparation of government to work against the possible biological attacks that the Intelligence on terror strikes will be remained with the concerned central security agencies. However, a recently formed specialists group would work to draft a concrete plan to deal with requirements in case of biological or chemical warfare.

PM had also called a high-level meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority that deals with such exigencies to counter terror attacks. Later, the PMO stated in a written statement that the PM Manmohan Singh has reviewed the watchfulness of the authority to deal with different types of terrorist attacks. PM’s meeting with NDMA was the first meet of the authority since May 2004.

The home ministry later confirmed that the intelligence agencies have warned about bio-terrorism, chemical warfare and hacking. The ministry officials also said that they were preparing to meet the new kind of terror threats in coming days. They said that the new expert group would work under the PM and the heads of all top intelligence and security services and NDMA members would join the group in capacity of members of this new working group. The Home secretary will be the head of expert committee.

PM had told the members of NDMA that the disaster management should be holistic rather than relief-centric. They should work hard to make people aware in dealing with calamities. A report had confirmed that a militant group used cyanide-based injections in Jammu and Kashmir. This is being said that in coming days a group of foreign terrorists could use such weapons with increase in their desperation levels.

The bio-terror attacks may result in animal deaths, economic damage and danger to public health from an unsafe food supply. There is a need to invest in public-health surveillance, biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical industry, transnational collaborations and training facilities.

In past some years, India has also developed itself in biotechnology, information technology, sensor technology and nanotechnology that could be used effectively for strengthening biological defense techniques. There is a need of extensive research and development facilities well in place in every district health facility across the country.

Via: Indian Express