Most Mumbai cops can't identify RDX

IB specialist claims that when he carries explosives as a security measure, they usually go undetected

IB specialist claims that when he carriesu00a0 explosives as a security measure, they usually go undetected

IT seems as if all the weapons training programmes and educative sessions about explosives imparted to the lower rung of the Mumbai policemen, especially after the 26/11 terror attack, has hardly trickled in. Nearly 90 per cent of the policemen who attended a workshop by Intelligence Bureau's explosive 'specialist' Colonel A S Sundaram at Naigaon police hall on Saturday could not identify RDX and other explosives.

In fact, Sundaram confessed that he had carried deadly RDX and travelled on aircrafts for more than a decade, but was never detected. Also, it is not just the police, even the Customs department who he trained last week, could not identify RDX by its texture or smell.

After the policemen, Sundaram is expected to train various other agencies, including the DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) department. The confession underscores the lack of awareness among law enforcement agencies at the airports and other entry and exit points across the country.

Sundaram, who is based in Delhi, is in Mumbai trying to raise awareness among local policemen. At least teach them how RDX, SEMTEX or PTEN look like, during demonstrations.

Speaking to Sunday MiD DAY, Col Sundaram explained that Mumbaikars too have to raise the level of awareness along with the police.

Sundaram claimed that during his tenure with the Intelligence Bureau, he used to survey sites prior to the visits of important dignitaries. He managed to pass though the security with sample explosives in his luggage without being detected.

This doesn't diminish the role of the security forces. The fact remains that most of them have not seen an explosive during their service, leave alone identified one.

Sundaram claimed how he was carrying 10 kilograms of RDX from Pune to New Delhi for research proposes. The deadly consignment was stashed into a suitcase and passed through the language. A sub-inspector not only stopped him and asked him to open the bag, but even broke open the packet and touched the deadly cargo. Seconds later, he let the IB expert in civilian clothes go, thinking the RDX was a lump of plastic.

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