BARODA: The militants in Punjab Monday possess the most sophisticated weapons in the world and forensic experts have identified their foreign origin. This, was stated by an expert, who wished to remain anonymous at a session of the Indian Science Congress here Monday morning.
‘The expert from Punjab claimed that forensic scientists were devising equipment to counter the deadly arsenal of the militants.
Between January 1 and December 29 last year, 2,484 persons, including 495 security personnel, ‘were killed in militant violence in Punjab. During the same period, 126 hardcore militants and 2,041 other ultras were killed by security forces, said the expert.
Recently the militants were found to be armed with the sophisticated Dragnory (Russian made) snipe rife, The rifle, with telescoping sights, can give rapid fire as well as pick up individual targets with remarkable accuracy in a range of 800 meters to one kilometer. This rifle was used to Kill a deputy inspector general of, police in Tam Taran district recently.
‘A few highly accurate general rifles, G3, were also seized recently. These rifles of German origin are now being manufactured in Pakistan, Both German ‘and Pakistani marking shave been noticed on the rifles.
‘Also found in the arsenal were the Dregvovor SVD rifles which can fire up to 250 bullets in one third of a second. Another recent acquisition of the militants are PK machineguns, which are of & Russian origin. These are capable of firing 100, 200, 250 or 690 to 720 rounds per minute. BOMBS ABOUND: Hand lobbed bombs, clock triggered ‘bombs, bombs in cast iron pipes, ‘bombs made from combining ‘potassium chloride, arsenic sulfide etc., dynamite sticks and TNT have now been augmented by RDX, ETN, picric acid, Semtex and nitro compounds. These explosives are categorized just below the liquid fuel used in rockets. In the recent unsuccessful attack con the former Punjab police chief D.S. Mangat nearly 12kg of DX ‘was packed into a device. Experts have been amazed by this since when RDX is detonated the temperature generated is about 3,380 degrees Celsius. Any substance which comes into contact with it will just vanish.
The experts are also baffled by the sophistication of the triggering devices used by the militants to detonate the explosives. These include electric cell bell, remote cord control, getting power supply from heavy duty battery of nine volt based capacitor oriented pulse generator and remote Cordless control system with a ‘most non temper able three tier frequencies having digitalized ‘modulation codes with superimposition of a low coustic frequency.
Nowhere in the world have variable resistor capacitor weeps and scanning transmitters been developed for pre detonation of IEDs (incendiary explosive devices) using this, the expert said. In other words, the militants use devices which can vary frequencies, intercept police messages and even use voice commands explode devices from a distance, ‘Another devices the LDR (light dependent register) which explodes the bomb when a vehicle’s headlight is turned on it. These devices are planted on road curves and when a headlight shines on it at a right angle negotiating a curve, the device explodes.
JUMP MINES: Then there are antipersonnel jump mines which fare remote controlled. When triggered, the spring mechanism attached to the mines makes them jump three to four feet from the round level and explode. This makes sure that the vital organs of the targeted person is hit with accuracy.
The militants also possess trans receivers (which can detect the explosion from a distance) and circuit testers. They are also using ‘booby trip wires, brass and plastic switches and a variety of capacity tor based devices which can store electrical charge and release it ‘when required, triggering mechanisms to provide nearly 45 seconds of escape time for the operator.
Forensic experts have found that some of the light dependable register based mechanisms had reverse switches. This means that an expert tries to de activate it by cutting off the electrical connection it will explode.
For mobility and observation, the militants have acquired night vision devices. These are of two types image intensification and infrared image converting types with supporting devices like infrared active beams. Each such device costs between Rs.310 Rs 4 lakh in the international market. For communication, the militants have acquired short range and ‘medium range wireless set with star performer such as Keapro KT22, frequency synthesizer which can be used for internal communication as well as for intercepting the rural telephone network on a reasonably high frequency zone of 140 to 140 megahertz.
The forensic experts are not lagging behind. They have built a ‘number of devices like lightweight armour plates and special glasses to improve bullet proofing capability.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1992
