IEDs; A CONTEMPORARY VIEWPOINT

Vyavhar Singh
Asst. Comdt.
 WHAT IS AN IED?

An IED is a “home-made” bomb

prepared through unlawful means
and kept in concealed and disguised
manner in any ordinary looking
objects meant for causing damage.
The mechanism used in the IED
could be standard or improvised.
 BOMB Vs IED
BOMB IED
• Ordinance made • Home made
• Standard Mechanism • No fix or definite
• Fix qty of Explosives is mechanism
used • No fix qty of explosive
• Ordinance made • Self made or
explosive is used. ordinance made
• Fix shape & size explosive is used.
• Container is used. • No fix shape & size
• Containers may or
may not be used.
CHARTING TERROR
2.8%
BOMB/IED
5.2%
6.1% ARMED
ATTACKS
FIRE
10.8%
61.8%
ARSON
13.3%
KIDNAPPING

OTHERS
 REASONS FOR USE OF BOMBS
AS A TERRORIST WEAPON
• MAX. FLEXIBILITY ON HUMAN RESOURCES,
LESS MATERIAL INPUT, MORE OUTPUT IN TERM
OF DAMAGE
• STAND OFF WEAPON
• AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION FOR MAKING A
BOMB
→ EVOLUTION OF INTERNET AS AN
INFORMATION RESOURCE
→ CO-OPERATION BETWEEN TERRORISTS
ORGANISATION
→ TREND OF IMITATION OF SUCCESFUL
BOMBING INCIDENTS
• EASY ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY
 REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES
 RELIABLE AND COMPACT ENERGY
RESOURCES
 SMALL AND ACCURATE TIMING
DEVICES
 ADVANCE SENSORS SUCH AS HEAT
SENSORS, LIGHT SENSORS, SOUND
 SENSORS MOVEMENT SENSORS
ETC’
• HOME MADE EXPLOSIVES BY USING EASILY AVAILABLE
CHEMICALS

• USE OF PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES WHICH CAN BE PACKED

INTO ITEMS OF ANY SHAPE / SIZE

• LIMITATIONS OF THE DETECTION TECHNOLOGY

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE

• CREATES PSYCHOLOGICAL TERROR.

• EASIER TO TRANSPORT IN UNASSEMBLED FORM.

• BASIC IEDs REQUIRES NO TRAINING.

 TARGETS OF IEDs
1. Govt Property
1. BRIDGES ***(J&K)
2. ROADS/HIGHWAY
3. RAILWAY TRACKS-NORTHEAST
4. OIL PIPELINES- NORTHEAST
5. GOVT. BUS, TELEPHONE EXCHANGE-LWE

2. Public Place
1. CINEMA HALL
2. RAILWAY STATION

3. Religious Places
4. VIPs and their relatives
5. Police/CPMF/Army personnel
 CLASSIFICATION OF IEDs
1. Incendiary Bombs - Chemical
compounds used for
producing fire.
Eg: Molotov cocktail, chemical
fire bottle
2. Explosive Bombs - IEDs
prepared for causing
destruction and damage.
 CATEGORIES OF IED
• Package Type IED
– Open
– Close
– hoax
• Vehicle-Borne IEDs (VBIEDs)
–Car Bomb
–Bicycle Bomb
• Suicide Bomb or Human Bomb
 MAIN COMPONENTS.
12 CLOCK

• EXPLOSIVE 9 3
• POWER SOURCE 6
• DETONATOR
• MECHANISM.
DETO.

BATTERY EXPLOSIVE
 EXPLOSIVES
EXPLOSIVES ARE CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES THAT ,
THROUGH CHEMICAL REACTION, VIOLENTLY CHANGE
TO GASEOUS FORM AND RELEASE HEAT AND
PRESSURE ENERGY EQUALLY IN ALL DIRECTIONS.
CLASSIFICATION
LOW EXPLOSIVES :
• BLACK GUN POWDER
• SMOKE LESS POWDER
• AMMONAL POWDER
• DEFLAGRATION VELOCITY UPTO 400 M/Sec
HIGH EXPLOSIVES :
• GELATINE
• TNT
• DYNAMITE
COMMERCIAL EXPLOSIVES
• PEK
• RDX
• HMX MILITARY EXPLOSIVES
• PETN
• SEMTEX
• DETONATION VELOCITY 2000-9000 M/SEC
 POWER SOURCE
• Depends on the type of detonator used e.g.
• Detonator no 27 + safety fuse 11 + ignition.
• Detonator no. 33 + battery + switch.
• Power source generally used are
– Cell 1.5 volt, Pen torch/Medium/large size
– Battery 6 or 12 volts.
– Dynamo.
– Electricity (AC)
– Polaroid Film Cells.
 DETONATOR

• Detonator No. 27 (Non electric)

• Detonator No. 33 (Electric)
• Use for converting flame into
detonation wave required for exploding
high explosive.
 MECHANISM
• Anti handling mechanism
• Delay mechanism
• Ambient mechanism
• Command mechanism
 ANTI-HANDLING
1. Pressure 6. Tilt
2. Release 7. Anti probe
3. Pull 8. Tension
4. Combination 9. Vibration
5. Collapsing 10. Lift
circuit 11. Photoelectric cell
 DELAYED

1. Clock
2. Electronic Timer
3. Thermal
4. Chemical
5. Electro chemical
6. Water drip or Add
7. Expanding Seeds
8. Cigarette & Match box delay
9. Barometric
 ,
BOMBER S SHOE USED BY REID

FUSE PROTRUDING
FROM SHOE NEAR
TONGUE

DETONATOR

HEEL PACKED WITH EXPLOSIVE

 AMBIENT CONDITION
1. Gas/ Smoke Sensitive
2. Humidity
3. Temperature Sensitive
4. X-ray Sensitive
5. Metal Sensitive
6. Sound Sensitive
7. Light sensors
 COMMAND MECHANISM
1. Direct Command

2. In-direct Command e.g.

Remote, LASER etc.
Trend Analysis in Explosives / IED's
Before 95 Contemporary Trends
RDX Gelatin
PETN Home made fertilizer based
Dynamite Explosives - combination of potassium
PEK chloride, Potassium Nitrate, Sugar,
Semtex Ammonium Nitrate, Aluminium Powder
(Parliament)
Note : Material used in Delhi 2005 blasts is RDX.-Does this
represent change in tactics or an incident in isolation?
Similarly the shift away from Military explosives like RDX in
J&K(2005) is designed to lend credibility that Pak is not
giving military support to terrorists in J&K
Containers used in Explosions
Previously Presently

Pipes Gas cylinder

Lunch boxes Pressure cookers
Shoe boxes Fire extinguishers
Polythene bags Electric motors
Assorted tins. Plastic containers
Buckets Milk / Water cane
Switches used in EXPLOSIONS
Previous Presently
Pressure switch Time pencils
Anti handling mechanism Wire controlled
Time switch Radio controlled (J&K)
Clock/watch mechanism Programmable time
delay (PTD) (Assam)
Light sensor switch
(Naxal)
WHAT IS THIS?
 PTD
• PROGRAMMABLE TIME DELAYED DEVICE
• EXPLOSION TIME RANGES FROM 08 MIN. TO
194 DAYS.
• CONSISITS OF:
• SWITCH WITH ELECTRONIC TIMER
• 9 V BATTERY
• EXPLOSIVE PACK
• WATERPROOF CASING.
• EASY TO ASSEMBLE,DIFFICULT TO DETECT.
 Power Source
Previous Presently

Pencil cells Torch / 9V battery

9 V batteries High capacity Alkaline /
Car battery Lithium batteries
Camera flash gun for
wire controlled devices. (
Alipiri 2004 and Munger
2005 blasts)
LATEST REPORT SAYS…
SPURT IN USE OF MORE
SOPHISTICATED IEDs COMPARED TO
GRENADE BLAST.
VEHICLE BORNE AND REMOTE
CONTROLLED IEDs HAVE REPLACED
COMMAND WIRE BASED EXPLOSIVE
DEVICE.
TERRORISTS ARE TARGETTING
PUBLIC PLACES.
• 27 CASES OF IED BLAST TOOK PLACE
IN CHHATTISGARH ITSELF--- 04 IN
2004.
• NAXAL GROUPS ARE SHARING
TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW-HOW.
• EXTREMIST GROUP HAD ACCESS TO
PRINTED BOOKS ON “VERY SIMPLE”
PROCEDURES ON PREPARING BOMB
USING COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE
CHEMICALS AND MATERIALS.
• NAXALS ARE SHIFTING FROM HOME-
MADE TO FACTORY PRODUCED
EXPLOSIVES.
• RESORTING TO PARALLEL AND
SIMULTANEOUS EXPLOSIONS.
• TRYING TO PERFECT THE ART
OFMANUFACTURING REMOTE-
ACTIVATEDDEVICES.
ACTION ON LOCATING AN IED
1. BUTTRESSING: Putting sand bag
near adjacent walls.
2 ½ x 2 ½ x 2 ½ feet sand bag wall
all around
2. BAFFLING:
Cover it with Bomb Blanket /
Mattresses to minimize damage
due to blast / fragment.
3. VENTING:
Opening doors and windows of the
room.
 THINGS TO PONDER…

• Explosion can be tolerated.

• Explosion can be tolerated but
not desirable.
• Explosion can’t be tolerated.
 NEUTRALISATION OF IEDs
1. Hand Entry Method
i) Separate charge & detonator
ii)In electrical traps cut source of
power.
2. Grapnel Method
Minimum distance 50 m, tie rope in expl /
mech and pull it.
3. Blind Charge
By demolition set.
 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
The plan of movement needs to be absolutely
secret.
Movement should be at short notice.
Regular movements in a established pattern
must be avoided.
To and fro journey from a particular place
should, as far as possible be done by different
routes.
It should be assumed that one small explosion
may be followed by a series of bigger explosion
The terrain of area of responsibility needs to be
studied thoroughly, to identify possible locations
of IEDs like sharp turns, culverts, bushes etc.
Vulnerable areas should be identified and kept
under domination, surveillance and avoided
whenever possible.
Surprise combing of vulnerable stretches of
roads for detection of IEDs must be under taken
time after time.
Forces must be aware of deception baits
thrown by the enemy to drag them into a trap.
The reliability of the sources must be tested and
movement made after taking all precautions.
Reinforcements in an emergency should be
done at different times, using different routes
and different modes of transportation.
Locals usually get to know of planted IEDs,
hence a good information system at the grass-
root level needs to be developed.
Any unusual happenings should be taken as a
warning.
Bridges , culverts and fresh tracks must be
carefully observed. Vehicles should be parked
50 meters away from these and troops
dismounted.
Body armour, helmets and mine safety googles,
if available should be used while going out or
operating in extremist affected areas.
 CHECKING OF ROUTES
• PROPERLY BRIEF THE PERSONNEL BEING DEPLOYED FOR GUARD
DUTIES ALONG THE ROUTE.
• PERSONNEL ON GUARD SHOULD BE AT A DISTANCE OF EYE- CONTACT
SO THAT THEY COULD COMMUNICATE TO EACH OTHER.
• ENSURE THAT THE PATROL PARTIES HAVE CHECKED BUSHES,
AREAS 500 METERS AWAY FROM ROAD EITHER SIDE.
• ALL AREAS RELATED TO SPEED BREAKERS, BENDS, CULVERTS,
UNDER-BRIDGES, RAIL-CROSSINGS, JUNCTIONS, SHOULD BE SUBJECTED
TO PHYSICAL CHECKS WITH AN EMPHASIS FOR BOOBY TRAPS.
• WHILE ENROUTE, CHECK SIDE BARRIERS WHICH ARE PLACED
WITH MUD-FILLED DRUMS, IF ANY.
• FOR ROAD SIDE MEETINGS, ENSURE THAT THE LOCATION IS NOT
NEAR TO POWER LINE / HIGH TENSION WIRES / JUNCTION BOARDS.
• ARCHES, DECORATION FIXTURES ERECTED ALONG THE LINE ROUTE
SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO PHYSICAL AND ELECTRONIC CHECKS.
• ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO LOOSE WIRES CROSSING ACROSS THE
ROAD.
• ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO VEHICLES SUCH AS CYCLE, SCOOTER, CAR
LEFT ON THE ROAD.
• ROUTE CHECKS MUST BE CARRIED OUT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE CLOSE TO
THE ARRIVAL / DEPARTURE TIME OF THE VVIP CAR CADE.
 PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN
DURING MOVEMENT IN VEHICLES
Vehicular columns are the most vulnerable to
IED attacks. Movement should be on foot, as
far as possible.
Varied routes and mode of transport need to
used, particularly if the time gap in the two
journey is large.
Traveling on routes having no alternate is not
advisable. In such cases getting down from the
vehicle and walking through suspected areas is
advisable.
Vehicular columns should, as far as possible be
confined to main black top roads, even these
should be carefully scrutinised.
Claymore mines (directional IEDs) are a
possibility even on NH.
Vehicles of SFs are easily identifiable therefore,
movement in sensitive areas should be in
civilian vehicles and in civilian clothes.
Traveling in official vehicles and private
vehicles, which resembles departmental
vehicles should be avoided.
Public transportation may be used whenever
possible.
Movement should be in at least 2 to 3 vehicles
with at least a 100 meters gap.*** situational
Weapon/ uniforms should not be displayed
while traveling in a civilian vehicle.
Heavy vehicles such as trucks may be used for
movement.
Sand bags may be placed on the floor of
vehicles to minimize effects of blasts.
One or two persons, in civil dress, may be kept
on the top of vehicles for observation.
High speed should be maintained in attack-
prone zones.
Never relax during a return journey.
If possible driving on the wrong side of the road
in suspected areas is desirable.
Unimaginable approaches needs to be taken
while covering patrol beats or to reach given
points in operation.
 PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN
DURING MOVEMENT ON FOOT
The beaten track needs to be avoided, walking
cross-country keeping safer distance is
advisable.
Tactical movement with appropriate formations
and distance between each individual is a must.
Patrols should move astride the road and not
on it.
Patrols moving cross-country tend to come on
the road to avoid obstacles, which must be
avoided
Bridges, culverts and fresh tracks leading to an
obstacles or deliberately made to skirts around
it need to be carefully searched.
Freshly dug and disturbed earth, dry grass,
sticks, dung of other material can be used as
camouflage to conceal IEDs and should be
carefully checked.
Combing should be done after 4 to 5 kms in
suspected areas.
Trip wires, their feelers or hooks should be
watched out for.
 PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN DURING ROAD
OPENING-SEARCH OF BUILDING/ AREA
Extensive use of sniffer dogs, and atleast one
metal/explosive detector are desirable.
USE OF ASHI AND TAURUS
Road margins should be carefully searched to
detect lead wires, covering of a spot.
Places where innocuous looking objects like
carts, electric poles or trees have been placed
beside the roads should be carefully searched.
Small bridges/ culverts are favoured spots for
IEDs and need to be carefully searched.
Unclaimed and unattended vehicles, two
wheelers or any other objects could be fitted
with explosive device.
ROP in built up areas must keep the area under
observation from vantage points to spot
anything unusual.
Doors of suspected houses and house hold
appliances could be wired to an IED. Extreme
caution should be exercised in building
searches.
 WHERE TO LOOK FOR?

☻Recently disturbed areas.

☻Saw dust, brick dust, wood chips or tin foils.
☻Greasy paper wrapping, which could have
been covering the explosives.
☻Out of place objects, which appear abnormal.
☻Disturbed road carpeting or even freshly
repaired roads.
☻Partly open windows/doors/drawers.
☻Fresh tar/plaster/cement.
☻Fish line, dirty ropes and electric wires Cut or
trampled over vegetation.
☻Containers of ammunition and explosives,
suitcases.
☻Dusty footprints
☻Scorched or new paint.
☻Freshly dug or filled areas.
 ACTION ON DISCOVERING AN
UNEXPLODED IED
• Do not bunch/maintain safe distance
• Avoid panic evacuation
• Buttress /BARRICADING
• Stop the traffic
• Inform BDD
• ONLY EXPERTS TO HANDLE
• OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS*****
The IED should not be handled or touched by
all.
Heat, light, vibration from vehicles, pressure,
radio signals, noise of electronic gadgets in the
close vicinity of an IED may trigger it, therefore
must be avoided.

Neutralise it with safety and security

 Role of commander
• Keep alert, make yourself a "hard target"
• Be prepared for IED attack followed by
ambush
• Be and APPEAR vigilant, personnel who
look ready to fight back make 'bad' targets -
insurgents may choose to wait for the next
convoy
• Maintain convoy speed if possible
• Maintain vehicle dispersion
• Be particularly cautious at choke points,
e.g., vehicle breakdowns, bridges, one-way
roads, traffic jams, sharp turns, etc.
• If something causes the convoy to stop,
watch your flanks for IEDs
• Wear bullet proof and helmets
• Wear safety or shooting glasses to preserve
eyesight from sharpnel
• Rehearse actions on 'Contact' for IEDs
• Get out of the 'Kill Zone' fast
• Do not approach the IED
• Before every convoy, personnel should be
briefed on the latest IED threats, i.e. what
insurgents are currently using and where
they have placed them before on chosen
routes, etc.
• Trust your INSTINCTS.
• Items we see may make us nervous about the
situation or item.
• It may be the people watching or the body language
or stress people show may indicate that something is
out there.
• Are the locals there or have they left the
area?
• Presence of NEWS crews may be an
indicator. Bomber does not want his picture
taken, but he loves to have his dirty work on
film.
 DON’TS
1. Do not bunch up during Ops.
2. Avoid cutting any wire unless
the device is identified.
3. Do not panic.
4. Never assume only ONE mine is
planted.
5. Do not try to be “DEAD HERO”.
DO NOT TRY TO BE A
“DEAD HERO”.