It's The Man Behind The Weapons That Makes The Difference, Says NSG Chief On Hamas' Horrific Terror Attack On Israel

"It's the man behind the weapon that makes the final difference," National Security Guard (NSG) Director General M A Ganapathy said yesterday (on 12 October), addressing the horrifying terror attack by Hamas on Israel.

He highlighted that it was never thought that terrorists could bypass extremely sophisticated technological systems to carry out such large-scale and horrific acts.

He made these remarks during the NSG Raising Day Seminar, which included state special forces and was held at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi. The two-day seminar, focused on "Sub-conventional threats: challenges and prospects for definite and enduring solutions", concluded today (13 October).

According to a report by Economic Times, Ganapathy emphasised two key lessons for the anti-terrorism professionals in attendance.

He stressed the significance of recognising that, ultimately, it is the combination of human elements and weaponry that makes the crucial difference in counterterrorism efforts.

"We need to have a framework of crisis management response at the national level for extreme terrorist scenarios. And two, that the reliance on technology, while very imperative, has to be complemented by highly skilled personnel who are at the pinnacle of the craft," Ganapathy stated.

"We all need to constantly invest in skill upgradation of our personnel who are the ultimate redeemers in a terror response mechanism," he said adding that, "we should always remember this lesson that ultimately it's the man and the weapon which makes the final difference."

The NSG Director General further noted the constant challenge faced by intelligence agencies to stay one step ahead of the evolving intentions and activities of terrorist groups.

These groups adapt due to external or internal support, a range of networks, technological exploitation, and opaque funding methods.

Ganapathy stressed the need for comprehensive understanding of the entire spectrum of terrorist networks and the development of future operational and training strategies.

To achieve this, it is essential for all stakeholders to come together and respond collectively in a coordinated and synergized manner, he said.