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Israeli experts in Kashmir to advise Indian security forces

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

A team of top security experts from Israel is touring Jammu & Kashmir to prepare a report on improving India's response to terrorism.

The visit will be followed by intense interaction between officials of both sides and the possible purchase of some equipment from Israel to improve border management.

According to sources, the team led by Eli Katzir of the counter-terrorism combat unit of the Israeli prime minister's office is now in Srinagar, where it is holding meetings with top state government officials and army and paramilitary force officers.

Officials confirmed that the team, which includes senior Israeli police and intelligence officers, is visiting India at the behest of Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, who was in Israel three months ago.

Sources said the experts would look at various aspects of India's counter-terrorism operations. "They will analyse our approach towards the entire militancy in the Valley, and in other parts. And we expect them to submit recommendations on how to improve the entire gambit of our operations," a home ministry official disclosed.

The Israelis arrived in New Delhi last week. The team is reported to have met senior officials of the home ministry and the intelligence agencies for briefings.

The team is reportedly studying the deployment, operations and border management policies of the armed forces in Kashmir. "They will basically be recommending to us technical improvements that are possible, besides assisting us in improving our overall operational capabilities. After all, they have much more experience in this field than anyone else," the official said.

During Advani's visit to Israel, he had held policy-level discussions on improving co-operation on anti-insurgency operations between India and Israel.

Both countries had established diplomatic relations only in 1992. But with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition taking charge in New Delhi, there has been a quantum jump in the level of relations, leading to concern and anguish among some Arab countries.

Israel has shown an interest in supplying India with sensors, which could be effectively deployed along with personnel at the borders. At present India guards the Line of Control and the international border with heavy deployment of troops, forcing them to take up positions in extremely inhospitable terrain at a height of thousands of feet in the Himalayas. Sensors and a more strategic deployment could help cut down the cost of policing the borders.

The Israeli side is unwilling to send personnel to India or accept any Indians for training in Israel. But it is ready to provide training information, give specific instructions on operations, and supply top-of-the-line equipment.

India is now Israel's third biggest arms customer, after China and Turkey. The Indian Air Force is negotiating for the purchase of the Phalcon airborne early warning systems, reputed to be among the world's best such equipment.

There were reports that America was resisting Israel's sale of the Phalcon to India. But Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said during a recent visit to New Delhi that there was no US objection to the sale.

The military is also negotiating, among other things, for anti-ballistic radar systems.

EARLIER REPORTS
Israeli experts helped combat J&K ultras: AFP
Govt denies inviting Israeli counter-terrorism team

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