|
SCHOOLS’ SECURITY
Ever since the APS Peshawar horrendous incident of December 16th,
almost all schools have been closed and various measures are being discussed
and planned to ensure the security and safety of the children. Apparently, the
emphasis looks to be on preventing a terrorist from entering a school premises
and for that measures like raising of the perimeter walls, armed manning of the
gates and various security check points etc. are being talked about. These are
good but along with them there are other areas which need to be given equally
or even more consideration. The top most to my mind is that let’s assume that a
terrorist or a few of them have somehow managed to break through such security
cordons and obstacles and entered the school. They are armed and carrying
explosives etc. whereas the students and staff are all unarmed. The only
way to stop them from killing the innocent young ones or taking them hostages
is to eliminate them instantly. For that we! need a few good armed marksmen
(civil or military) posted at the high vantage points of the school like the
roof tops and other high places, dug in trench(es) in lawns or grounds etc.
from where they can cover with fire the entire area – the gate(es),
the class rooms/offices, the assembly and play ground areas etc. - and
just resort to shoot to kill the intruding miscreants. Drills for various
contingencies must be practiced periodically by holding even mock attacks to
the extent that it becomes almost a second nature for the students and the
staff to take precaution and actions as required for a given eventuality. These
could be running immediately to safety, taking cover under the desks, crawling
towards safe exits and places, using satchels and books as body armour, in case
of close combat to thrust fingers or throw dust in the eyes of the incautious
captor etc. Naturally, administering “First Aid” must also be taught to all for
which! First Aid boxes must be suitably placed all over the school.
Next, is the school buses to which the remote/time controlled magnetic IEDs
can easily be attached. For this very strict procedures to inspect the bus in
detail before moving it from each halting point at the terminuses as well as
all along the route must be devised and strictly carried out without any
laxity. In case of detection of an attached IED strict disembarking drills and
the action to be after that concerning the safety of the students and the
vehicle must also be thoroughly rehearsed periodically. There can be many other
similar points that would need to be introduced and made part of the practices
to be carried out by the students of different age groups. All must know
how to react and what to do. Knowledge is strength and knowledge of what to do
in such a situation would make our students mentally and psychologically strong
to face the calamity boldly and bravely. May they never face a situation
to use their such acquired skill and prowess, ameen.
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
|