By IANS,
New Delhi : Terrorists are getting “more and more aggressive” and can resort to chemical weapons to cause maximum casualties, Defence Minister A.K. Antony warned Tuesday, adding that the Indian armed forces will prepare to counter any such attack.
“Terrorists are getting more and more aggressive in their activities the world over. They are adopting newer techniques and technology in their mode of operation,” Antony said here while releasing the national guidelines on the Management of Chemical Terrorism Disaster.
The guidelines, compiled by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), have been prepared by experts from various streams, academia and scientific institutions.
Experts from the Armed Forces Medial Services and the Defence Research and Development Organisation have also made significant contributions in the formulation of guidelines.
The comprehensive guidelines deal with several issues like counter-terrorism strategies, surveillance and environmental monitoring, prevention of illegal trafficking of hazardous waste, and human resource development, which includes education and training, knowledge management and community awareness.
“The defence ministry shall also prepare itself for the management of (any) chemical terrorism disaster,” Antony added.
India is one of the original signatories to the Chemical Weapons Convention, 1993, and has already destroyed its chemical weapons stockpiles.