MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BRIEF FOR HOME MINISTRY
TARGETING IN COIN
ATTACK THE NETWORK MAP
TARGETING IN COIN
Keshav
Mazumdar ATO CMAS
Kinetic
Targeting is a process by which physical action is taken to kill/capture
insurgents or for that matter any enemy in the area of operations in order to
negate their activities/operations in the AO.For example HUMINT reports bring
in information about an insurgent facilitator of IEDs supply.Kinteic Targeting
, that is killing this element severely affects the IED supply thus limiting
the usage of IEDs by the insurgents.Here it is very important to choose
carefully the targets.They should be critical nodes in the network ,
destruction of which will hamper the overall operations of the network , not
just cut off one single line of operation.Thus targeting C2 nodes , critical
lines of communication and logistics , important couriers and informers of the
enemy , prime facilitators from among the local populace , HUMINT agents from
among the local populace and anything or anyone close to the or collocated with
the perceived centrer of gravity of the network will in effect disrupt enemy
operations as well as planning severely.For example we have identified and
located a high profile insurgent and a drone attack results in his elimination.Thus
we have successfully removed a node in the network.Now if we study the second
and third order effects of this attack , that is the resultant action on his
colleagues or men under his command and the effect on the local population(our
HUMINT and CI people keeping a tab on enemy movements, enemy suspects and
activities of local suspected sympathizers , facilitators) we get further leads
for further targeting actions.It couls be , for instance , that after removing
this critical node there is a flurry of activity in the local community among a
select group of people , or maybe demoinstrations are held thus pinpointing the
actual sympathizers(these can now be included in non-kinetic operations) or the
activity of insurgents themselves which become observable and thus amenable for
intelligence action.
Conventional
war sees both adversarys attempting to utilize the entire spectrum of combined
arms warfare to:
Coming to
asymmetric warfare like guerillas , insurgents and terrorists here
attrition is not a solution as most of them , going by Maos principle , are
intent on conserving their forces—that is strength , capabilities as they are far
outnumbered in and they cannot afford to take in more casualties by foraying
enmasse into enemy territory like conventional forces or for that matter
projecting their force is not an option for them.They carefully choose their
targets and the location where they will deliver the attack.All this done by
small line squads while the majority of the insurgents stay safe at the bases.
Here is
where we can arrive at a very important inference.If the insurgent must
conserve his forces which means as his primary objective is to cause harm to
the security forces without exposing himself unnecessarily , attacking from
deep cover , or ambush , he needs pewrfect information about the nature ,
identity and location of his target/s.To this end intelligence capability ios
critical.If he employs his own intelligence assets , which are very very
limited , his own men who can keep an eye on troops movements from afar or from
a top vantage point—and that is quite risky some times , the insurgent
leadership then turn to their main resource base , the local populace.The
limited HUMINT agents of the insurgent group now recruit sympathizers and
others who support their ideology , or those who bear a grudge against the
local administration , police and the security forces themselves and now these
very innocuous looking people of the local community in the AO become the eyes
and ears of the enemy.As per Mao’s principle , we can infer the insurgents
should conserve this HUMINT capability in order to conserve their forces.This
further leads to the fact that they will also protect their informers and
sources and like a professional intelligence organization will surely conduct
secret meetings to indoctrinate them on security principles , how to handle
their captors if caught by the security forces and other psychological
instructions.
Whatever
be the case the local populace is and should be the main target of the Army
intelligence apparatus—detect , identify and locate the HUMINT elements.
History , Malaya , Philippines , Iraq , etc ..has proved time and again that a
successful insurgency emerges only with the support of the local population.
Hence
comes into the picture –non-kinetic targeting.Now it is clear that the
insurgents will do everything possible to keep the population on their side.If
not the entire local populace , well all those who sympathize or believe in its
ideology or others.As for those elements of the population who are some way or
the other disinterested in the insurgency movement or even averse to it , these
people are kept in leash by the insurgent leadership.Intimidation , fear ,
torture and even killing—these tactics are resorted to.But generally the
elements of the population who are so labeled as averse to the insurgents
ideology prefer to keep quiet.These people must be identified by our
intelligence personnel.As they are part and parcel of the community they can
offer valuable intelligence on the elements of the population who work for the
enemy.They are the best ones suitable for surveillance , static observation of
the neighbourhood , getting good access and placement to suspects (after
transmittal of the idea that they are pro-insurgency) , reporting on strangers
in the village , attending propaganda meetings and hate-seminars , and knowing
the entire terrain very well so as to advise the security forces during
intelligence preparation of the Area of Operations.
That said
, the Army should and must wage a full scale parallel war with the insurgents
in controlling and influencing the minds of the population in their favour.This
love/hate triangle is in fact the most important mission objective.You control
the population , you know the local informers and logistical supporters of the
enemy.Also the safe houses , staging areas and all clandestine meetings in the
area.Going a step further , detaining such individuals and interrogating them ,
or more the better keeping them under tight surveillance using those friendly
elements of the population you can now detect and identify their enemy HUMINT
contacts.Further surveillance or arrest and detention followed by interrogation
can lead to weapon caches , staging areas , other enemy personnel concentration
points , transit camps , bases—in short you get nearer and nearewr to the
insurgent center of gravity.
This parallel
war is in effect information operations.Information operations , such as
periodic or random announcements by the loudspeaker and other media
enabled platoon , PSYOPS platoon , coupled with community development
programmes such as road repairs , distribution of food and sweets to children
at regular intervals in primary schools , helpinmg in the digging of wells ,
improving sanitary conditions , supplying ‘kambals’ in winter , supply of free
educational books and materials , informing the community of social service
programmes and financial schemes for the poor taken up by the elected
Government , highlightinmg the insurgents atocrities elsewhere , impressing
upon them the insurgents concept that he has to influence the population in
order to survive , and many other steps/activities which can easily be
undertaken by the Army as resources for such activities are not expensive ,
easily available and can also be supplemented by the local administration.The
main point which should be driven home is the population must feel more secure
and happy with the presence of the Army and other security forces and should
understand that the only objective of the movement is violence and target is
the Government , and that they are least bothered about the local community ,
but consider it therir safe haven where they can hide during the day , where
they can get food , shelter and where they can brainwash and recruit people to
serve their ends.
1.
MISSION PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: THE POPULATION SHOULD CEASE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE
INSURGENTS TOTALLY.
2.
MISSION SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: FULL SCALE NON KINETIC OPERATIONS TO SUPPORT
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE.
One of the
oft-overlooked consequences of just about anything are what we call
second- and third-order effects. Once we have targeted someone or
something we must know how this has influenced the local population , the
insurgent network and even other criminal enterprises in the AO. Second and
third order effects which might emerge are:
·
We might lose local cooperation.
·
We might gain local cooperation.
·
More enemies may result if the kinetic attack results in vengeance. Going a
step further , the removal of the insurgent/s may effect certain civilians
(apparent by antagonistic actions , disappearance from their residence
apparently to join the insurgents).Which means we can now zero in on them as
suspects.
Another
difference exists between conventional battles and COIN ops.In conventional
battles we detect , identify , get the precise location and then nominate as a
target , be it a high value target or a high payoff target.Now
Counterintelligence activities ofcourse happen during conventional warfare but
not as offensively as in a limited war against insurgents in a limited AO.What
I mean to say is it can be one or several of our agents have infiltrated the
network or trhat we have penetrated trhe network by turning one or few
insurgents to work for us.Now in the same AO it could well be that a company
platoon is engaged in ops against the enemy in the Eastern part of the AO.Now
if this platoon is not aware of the agents (infiltratrors) in the enemy
who might be selected for targeting by our platoon intelligence section , then
this is a grave error.Or say we could be using a rouge insurgent unit (turned)
who are up against the insurgents and they could equally well do the same
thing—target our agents.Hence the number one priority is deconfliction.
The targeting cell generates intelligence requirements which the HUMINT
collection cell satisfies by its collection operations.Now the two cases cited
above or even in a case where our soldiers are fighting behind enemy lines (in
the case of COIN we can roughly define that as deep into their territory , say
the insurgents dominated Assam jungles) , the platoon may not be able to access
the HUMINT cell for information or the current targeting list and then it will
autonomously choose and finish off the target—who can very well be one of our
own agents. So how do our units avoid targeting our own agents that have
been infiltrated within adversarial organizations? WE NEED TO HAVE A CENTRAL
AUTHORITY , AN INTELLIGENCE UNIT , WHOSE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY WILL BE TO
DECONFLICT TARGETING CELL AND HUMINT CELL ASSETS.This is very important as in
most insurgencies , we have to resort to infiltration.We must remember an agent
placed in the network is worth 50 machine guns.We cannot afford to lose him due
to lack of deconfliction.We then suffer a counterintelligence defeat in the
hands of our very own units.
There is a
great difference between intelligence driven targeting and targeting based on
surveillance and reconnaissance.Intelligence is crucial.If it is not present
integrally in the targeting process , you can not remove the targets
efficiently.The success rate will be incredibly low.Intelligence drives the
fight.It is required to detect , identify , locate the target precisely , gauge
beforehand what can be the second and third order effects , aid in creating
target folders as per category , aid in target reduction – in short it is
CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT.And Mind you , counterintelligence should go hand in hand
as it protects this very same intelligence cycle , vetting the sources ,
determining if they are genuine , or planted.It helps in knowing and locating
important targets of the enemy.It is crucial in in telligence planning.It
generates positive intelligence.It is not exactly an intelligence discipline
but it is more than that—it is an intelligence and force enabler.In COIN
it is indispensable.Its offensive techniques like penetration or infiltration
can literraly destroy the center of gravity of the enemy.
In any
COIN mission , or operation , just launching an attack (kinetic that is) on the
enemy using military commonsense or standard combat tactics and
techniques/procedures will not be sufficient.Yes here also you are targeting ,
but this targeting is the usual destruction/removal of adversial elements in
the course of combat as per standard doctrine.You ned to have ‘’targeting
ability’’ , not just manage a team of trigger pullers.And the management of
these ‘’trigger pullers’’ , the Company or Bn must have the ‘’intelligence
element’’ as its brain.Then only you have the required targeting ability
so critical for success in COIN.Be it kinetic or personality targeting or
non-kinetic or psychological targeting.
The
parallel war –that is the control of the local population by both the
insurgents and the Army is essentially Information Warfare.That includes
propaganda and PSYOPS.I must drive home the most important point in COIN—THE
LOCAL COMMUNITY /POPULATION IS THE BEST ASSET OF THE INSURGENTS AND OUR
GREATEST THREAT IN TERMS OF COUNTERINTELLIGENCE.This is the ‘human terrain’
distinct from the physical terrain (or developed infrastructure terrain , that
is the security forces configure existing buildings etc so as to provide force
protection and also building attack resistant/delaying structures ) which
is usually scanned /surveilled and reconnoitered for intelligence preparation
of the battlefield.Ignoring this human terrain , not developing it and
utilizing it to our advantage places all gains from intelligence preparation of
the battlefield considering the physical terrain , the enemy , the weather and
environment to a minimum.We must consider non-kinetic targeting with the same
importance like kinetic targeting.We need to maniupulate the minds of the
population.They are the ones who can provide us hard much needed
information.If we lose their support , the insurgents get their support.
Take a
case in point.An army platoon is engaged in a combat action with a group of
insurgents and things go wrong.The platoon was initially firmly emplaced in a
built up area , protected and hardened against enemy fires.But a prolonged
combat resulted in rapid depletion of ammunition and now the soldiers must flee
as reinforcements will take long to reach the area.Fine—they did just that.The
Company Commander had always recognized the need to influence the human terrain
and today this platoon got saved just because of their Commanders
foresight.How? On escaping they took refuge among the local population who gave
them shelter , hiding them from the enemy , and also intelligence about enemy
movements ( they are nbow on the lookout for the platoon) both to the soldiers
and team leader and also to the headquarters by dispatching a couple of
villagers.So they are now the teams cover , intelligence collectors and also
supply points.Thats the benefit of information operations in COIN. If you can
win the battle for CONTROL , then you’ll make the battle of attrition much more
difficult FOR THE ENEMY.Period.
Intelligence Support to Targeting
COIN Specific Intelligence Preparation of the Battle space (IPB) –
the systematic,
The
commander uses IPB to understand the battle space and the options it presents
to friendly
Irregular Warfare IPB
The
principal difference between IPB for a conventional warfare environment and
that of
Force
protection in a COIN environment is dependent on several factors. These factors
can be
To
enable mapping consider the following:
1.
All EH detonations, arrest of people with EH devices over time need to be
tracked and
displayed
graphically on a map template.
2.
The technology used ,whether the EH was buried or thrown at the security forces
,
whether
it is of blast fragmentation type or shaped etc need to be documented. This
will
yield
the operational characteristics of the enemy. Again every EH needs to be
tracked...keeping
a time frame in perspective.
3.
Every IED explosion or seizure translates to information about the bomb maker
–his
signature.
Examine the IED to ascertain the nature of ingredients, technology used,
tactics
etc.Again map out this signature profile for every IED.
4.
Map the IED events density over the area. Locations, dates and frequency need
to be used
as
reference points.
5.
Considering only the type of EH used if mapping is done then we can get a good
idea of
sources
of particular types of IED or any other interpretation.
6.
Keep in mind that one should track all EH events with respect to adjoining
structural,
organizational,
religious entities. For example there can be a local village near frequent
IED
explosions that is hostile to our security forces. Or say a religious unit is
nearby
which
is pro-insurgent. These entities can be processed for more intelligence.
7.
Map out those areas of the physical terrain that can act as good ingress and
egress
points/routes/corridors
to potential sites for EH emplacement.
8.
Recorded information about the flow of enemy personnel, weapons, etc need to be
considered
in its entirety.
9.
From all these EH events based mapping identify/locate areas which may be used
for
deployment
of Ordnance/EOD /Engineers personnel and equipment preferably under
cover
to assist in rapid response to IED blasts or attempts for emplacement.
10.
Map out all the routes usually taken by the security forces , especially in
friendly areas
and
study the corresponding terrain in detail so as to ascertain any area/s /points
worthy
of
IED emplacement /vulnerable to IED and post IED attacks..Identify those
movement
patterns
of the security forces which are very frequent and hence liable for IED’ing.
11.
Identify those areas where emplacement of an IED can potentially cause harm to
security
forces
but not to the local community shelters. Of particular note are those
communities
who
are pro-insurgency.
12.
Of all the possible emplacement areas on the map identify those areas that can
serve both
as
emplacement and also offer terrain advantages for immediate secondary gunfire
attack
by
hidden enemy personnel.
13.
Map out those areas of the physical terrain which can multiply the IED
explosion severity
by
virtue of natural structures and profiles.
14.
Locate and map all areas that can offer good concealment for ammunition and
weaponry
caches
and IEDs.
15.
Map HUMINT.For example an insurgent operative was arrested in a certain area
away
from
his place of residence, another defined area.
16.
From all the EH points on the map
identify those that are of low damage capacity than
those
that inflict mass casualties. The former takes less time for emplacement and
difficult
to prevent compared to the latter. Color code these two type—thus a geospatial
of
such ‘’White-noise’’EH devices and ‘’Mass-casualty; EH devices help the
Commander
to get a better understanding, his situational awareness is heightened.
COIN
targeting necessitates overwhelming intelligence from ‘’bottom-up’ for
successful
2.
Determining where to start – in terms of information or geography. Based upon
key
Later
it will be shown that setting up a company level intelligence cell and enabling
tactical
1.
Stress should be given to the fact that tactical company and platoon level
units conduct
2.
At the same time low density high demand ISR assets need to be stretched and
spread
With
these two initiatives the Command Headquarters will not lose control over its
intelligence
REQUIREMENT FOR INTELLIGENCE COLLECTION AT UNIT/PLATOON LEVEL:
Building the Intelligence Picture
Kinetic and non-kinetic Personality targeting: Intensive intelligence activity is required in a
Targeting
the entire network and targeting the individual have each a difficulty rating.
In the case
It
is very important to consciously use targeting techniques rather than as a
consequence for
Right
from the Command headquarters down to platoon/section level as well as adjacent
The
Command headquarters should lay down SOP for identifying and nomenclature of
Targets
Categories:
TO FACILITATE ONLINE LEARNING IN INTELLIGENCE/CI SUITABLY CONFIGURED FOR NON INT MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALITY ORS/JCO'S AS WELL AS OFFICERS THE FOLLOWING INSTITUTE IS BEING SET UP:
INDIAN ARMY INTELLIGENCE SCHOOL
NOTE:
Other details on how to create an organic intelligence unit at boot-level ,
establishing
KESHAV MAZUMDAR