webinar: the changing operating environment in...
TRANSCRIPT
Control Risks and International SOS
WEBINAR: THE CHANGING OPERATING ENVIRONMENT IN BANGLADESH
Monday, 5 September 2016
Bangladesh
3
Speakers
James Owen Romita Das Gaurav Taneja Aditya Luthra
Senior Partner, South Asia,
Control Risks
Senior Analyst, Political
Analysis, South Asia
Control Risks
Executive Director,
Security, South Asia,
Control Risks
Regional Security
Information Manager - Asia
Pacific, International SOS
& Control Risks
4
Attack at the Holy Artisan Bakery
• Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack
• Government squarely pinned the blame on a domestic
Islamic extremist group
At around 8.45pm
(local time) on 1 July
six assailants storm a
cafe armed with AK-
22s, machetes, and
crude explosive
devices
The attackers remain
in the cafe, holding
approximately 35
people hostage
At around 7.40am on
July 2 the authorities
begin operations to
clear the militants
• 13 hostages rescued
• 18 foreigners killed:
9 Italians, 7 Japanese,
1 Indian, and 1
American
5
Implications and drivers
IMPLICATIONS
• Increased determination to target those
perceived to represent ‘non-Islamic’
influences
• Extent of transnational extremist
involvement?
• Demonstrate higher level of planning,
sophistication and coordination
• No improvements in capabilities
• Limitations of domestic security forces
• Encouraged emergence of new cells/more
attacks as evidenced from recent raids
DRIVERS
• The marginalisation of opposition groups
expected to fuel radicalisation
• Global jihadist ideology espoused by IS and
al-Qaida presents an increasingly appealing
alternative for disenfranchised elements in
Bangladesh
6
An evolving targeting pattern
Increasing determination to directly target
foreigners:
• Opportunistic and narrowly targeted
assassinations
• Attacks against lower-security soft targets
where foreigners congregate such as bars
and restaurants
• Attacks against higher security facilities
(private armed protection or those with
paramilitary protection) less likely to be
targeted
Attacks targeting civil society members and
institutions seen as preventing the Islamisation of
Bangladeshi society
Attacks to maximize international attention:
densely crowded locations such as marketplaces,
pilgrimage sites and public transport.
7
Security environment
CHANGE IN SECURITY POSTURE
• Airport security
• Boots on ground
• Targeting of terrorist groups
THE SHORTCOMINGS
• Denial
• Lack of security awareness and
training
• Poor infrastructure
• Not sustainable
8
Being prepared
IMMEDIATE
• Security assessment and
comprehensive security management
• Train
• Create groups for information
sharing, analysis and support
LONGER TERM
• Train
• Accept and educate
• Improve infrastructure (security
design)
9
An organizational approach
10
Advice for Travellers
• Travel to Bangladesh can continue.
• Maintain a low profile and vary your
routine. A private vehicle and driver is
recommended for all overland travel.
• Potential targets are harder to categorise.
As such, enhanced situational awareness
and training on how to respond to an
incident is key.
11
Conclusion
12
Contact details Questions
13
Contact details
CONTROL RISKS
Control Risks Delhi
+ 91 11 4055 6200
24/7 ASSISTANCE CENTRE:
+ 44 (0)4843 736388
www.internationalsos.com
www.controlrisks.com
Control Risks Mumbai
+ 91 22 4097 7666