Bangladesh Military PSYOPS Framework

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Restricted PSYCHOLOGICAL OPERATIONS INTRODUCTION 1.

Psychology is something indispensable to every rational being and hence

psychological persuation by one rational being to impose his will on the other is also a normal affair in all kinds of human activities thus the interaction between husband and wife, teacher and student parents and children, sellers and buyers, political leaders or a public speaker and their followers or audience or two diplomats from two different countries-all fall in the broad spectrum of psychological persuation, if not psychological warfare. The addition of the work warfare or operations with psychology in place of persuation only adds a new dimension with the flavour of conflict between two opponents, to an otherwise innocent concept. !. "owever, the term psychological operations #psyops$, which is often used

interchangeable with the term psychological warfare, does not solely relate to a war situation or environment of hostility. %either its nature and scope involve only two opponents fighting each other. &t s scope and application is much wider with far reaching impact in national perspective covering peace as well as war time. &n a generic sense it is one of the four instruments of statecraft, the other three being political, economic and military instruments involve considerable efforts and resources, psychological means is less e'pensive, as it re(uires human intellect much more than material resources. The developed countries are fully aware of its tremendous potentials and also e'ploit it very skillfully. )e fell, it is more important for u s, the people of the third world countries, to u understand and appreciate its value to compensate our deficiencies in other areas. AIM *. To e'amine the potentials of psy ops in +angladesh conte't and recommend a

concept for its effective implementation at both national and military levels.

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Restricted SCOPE ,. -ollowing will be covered. a. Psy ops- / 0onceptual overview b. +angladesh- Threats and %ational 1trategy. c. Psy ops concept for +angladesh. #1$ %ational perspective. #!$ /rmed -orces Perspective. #*$ Psy ops in 0"T. PSY OPS-A CONCEPTUAL OVERIEW HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPT 2. 1un T3u said in the 2th 0entury +0, 4 1upreme e'cellence consists in breaking the

enemy s resistance without fighting.5 The message is very clear-why to employ resource and energy in fighting if ob6ectives can be achieved through a less e'pensive way. 0lausewit3 much later in 17th 0entury emphasi3ed on breaking enemy s will to fight for military victory to be completed or fulfilled. 8iddell "art also talked of and indirect approach for achieving the military ob6ectives. Then we know of 0hengi3h 9han s employment of agents for spreading rumour in the enemy camp about enormous si3e of his forces. &n &ndia, 9autilya in his 4 /rthashastra5 advised on how to destroy enemy morale by planting agents in the enemy camp to spread rumour about her certain defeat. &n )orld war &, opposing forces made e'tensive use of propaganda for achieving the military ob6ectives. &n world war &&, :ass propaganda campaign waged by ;erman propaganda :inister ;oebbles is know to all of us. The conse(uent allied efforts to counter ;erman propaganda, have given propaganda ware a new dimension and charcter altogether. /llied propaganda campaign came to be known as political warfare in +ritain and psychological warfare in <1/ restored the image of propaganda war by rescuing it from blatant lies of ;oebbles style. 0hurchill s speeches in 17,= were classic e'amples of psychological persuation which inspired the +ritish people to live through the crisis. ! Restricted

Restricted /fter world )ar && in almost all wars namely, 9orean )ar, 1ino- &ndian conflict of 17>!, 0hina-?ietnam )ar, /rab -alklands )ar and the 8atest ;ulf )ar, Psy ops played very important role. +esides, during the protracted period of cold war psy ops war the key weapon that has been e'ploited by both the power blocks to undermine each others ideological strength as well as morale of military force and the people. >. )hile psychologicla warfare #psy war$ and psy ops are often used

interchangeably, the former i.e. psy war was first used in 17!= and psy ops in 17,2. 1ir @ - 0 fuller is believed to have been the one who first coned the term psy war in 17!=, when in his treatise on tanks he prophesied that traditional means of warfare #as then know and understood$, might in time be replaces by a purely psy war, wherein, weapons are not used or battlefield sought AA but #rather$ A. The disintegration of the moral and spiritual life of one nation by the influence of the will of another is accomplished. Though fuller used the term first, the +ritish preferred to call the same activities as denoted by psy war as political warfare. /merican used the term psy war in world war &&. "owever, later on, they have replaced this word by psy ops, as an all inclusive term in common use. /merican preferred the word operation to warfare to de*scribe an activity that is directed to friends and neutrals as much as or more than to hostile or potentially hostile people. &t must be mentioned here that since world )ar && the +ritish also started using the term psy war or psy ops instead of political warfare. B. %ow let us see how these terms differ from each other. a. Psy War. The planned use of propaganda and other psychological actions having the primary purpose of influencing the opinions, emotions, attitudes, and behaviors of hostile foreign groups in such as way as to support the achievement of national ob6ectives. b. Psy ops. Those operations include psy war and, in addition, encompass those political, military, economic and ideological actions planned and conducted to create in neutral or friendly foreign groups, the emotions, attitudes or begaviours to support the achievement of national ob6ective.

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Restricted c. Propagan a. The planned use of communications to influence the

attitudes and behavours of the target audience to achieve national ob6ectives. C. 1ome other terms which are important for understanding the sub6ect, will now be a. b. c. d. e. f. W!"#$ propagan a. 1ource is clearly stated i.e., true. Gr$y propagan a. %&a' propagan a. Targ$# A( "$n'$. S#ra#$g"' Psy Ops. Ta'#"'a& Psy ops. operations. May Psy ops 7. 8et us now see, why Psy ops should be e'ploited system atically as a modern a. 1etting all issues by brute force of arms alone may not always provide the best solution. b. Psy ops is a force multiplier, which aims at achieving the ob6ectives by influencing rather that killing. c. Persuading peopleEopposing force is far cheaper than killing them, as worda are far less e'pensive that bullets, let along shells, bombs or missiles. d. / weapon that can be used skillfully during protracted period of peace time, without causing direct hostility. e. / weapon that is effective to undermine the adversary s potentials at the same time strengthening morale of own people and armed forces. f. D'tensive physical violence and loss of men and material can be minimi3ed. weapon. 1ource is not specifically identified. &t s ma'ture of Dmanates from a source other that the true one. That group of people towards which a propaganda Psy ops directed at military forces, people and areas Psy ops directed at military forces and populations ture and false information s.

discussed.

message is directed in order to obtain or influence a specific behavior pattern. in their entirety, designed to further board, long term ob6ectives. which is designed to e'ploit psychological vulnerabilities in support of tactical

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Restricted g. :odern communication media is e'tremely useful in conducting Psy ops utili3ing e'isting resources of a country. h. /dvent of modern psychological and behavioural sciences, has given psy ops a very high degree of sophistications and subtelety enhancing its chance of success. i. 1ignal most important reason for Psy ops is that it can achieve national ob6ectives substantially thereby reducing the possibility of direct confrontation. O))$ns"*$ Vs D$)$ns"*$ Psy ops 1=. )e have already identified that the target of psy ops need not recessarily be people or armed formces of potential need not necessarily be people or armed forces of potential adversary. &t could be own people or armed forces as well. 1hould we call it psy ops when directed against own people or armed forcesF "ere the (uestion of offensive and defensive psy ops come in. :easure taken to safeguarddown people and armed formces from hostile psy ops measure are defensive in its essence and spirit. The means and techni(ues of offensive and defe*nsive psy ops are more or less similar, only language varies. T!"r +or& p$rsp$'#"*$ 11. The third world countries, embroiled in own economic backwardness, population problem internal troubles, insurgency in some cases, religious feuds and factionalism, border disputes with neighbours, need to look at Psy ops from a diffeent angle. 0an they afford to have good network of Psy ops from a diffeents angle. 0an they afford to have good network of psy ops system targeting the hostile audienceF &t s a very difficult proposition for them indeed. )hen they need to target the audience in the land of potential adversary, their primary focus will be, perhaps, to set own home in order so that hostile psy ops cannot have detrimental effect on own people. Therefore, countering hostile psy campaign, check internal dissensions and subversion will be the main cncern of an underdeveloped country. The Psy ops, therefore, have to go into psyche of the own people and armed forces to chech in ternal ailment of a nation. -or a third world country the following may be the ob6ectives of psy ops. 2 Restricted

Restricted a. b. c. d. e. f. g. +uilding national will to survive. +uilding national pride in own people and armed forces. :ake people #including armed forces$ aware of national aim, ob6ectives -orge national consensus, common outlook on ma6or national issues. +uild national morale, a national fiber to develop strength and resilience. 0ounter hostile subversive propaganda. Put forward own cause in the world forum strongly and earn attention,

and interest.

sympathy, support and assistance of world community to achieve own national interest. h. i. Dstablished own credibility in the world community particularly in the 8imited offensive Psy ops targeting people and armed forces of the countries of immediate concern serving immediate interests. potential adversary. M$#!o s an T$'!n",($s. 1!. "ow is it conducted i.e. what are the methods and techni(ues followedF &t is an

ob6ective communication with a view to persuading selected target audience to comply with the will of the initiator. The four components make the whole process complete. a. b. c. 1*. &nitiator. :essage. Recipient i.e. target audience.

The basic essence of psychological operation is credibility of the message. &f the

target audience suspects the truthfulness of the massage the whole purpose of psychological operation is bound to be defeated. ;oebbles once said- &n propaganda as in love anything is permissible which is successful . ;oebbles propaganda failed in the long run as it lost its credibility. 0redibility must be estaboished and the message has to be composed with very subtle fine art and sophisticatin, so that ob6ectives are achieved without arousing any doubt about the intention. &n +roader sense the message or > Restricted

Restricted communication may not be e'clusively a written i.e. printed or spoken message. &f we remember the definition, psy ops measure also include actions. 1imply a psysical presence can also have a psychological impact in addition to physical action. 1,. "ow effective role the present mass media can play in influencing the behaviour

of the people can be understood by the commercials and publicity campaign fro commercial goods run by radio, television, news paper. The techni(ues in peace-time and techni(ues in war time will have difference, though certain things will be common. &n peace-time a country can utili3e the following. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. RadioETelevision #T?$ %ews paper. -oreign :ission #diplomatic channel$. ;overnment information service. Grama, 0ultural programmes. -ilms. Publications.

Guring war time the following may be usefull, in addition to the above. a. 8eaflets. b. <sing prisoner of war for influencing other members in the enemy camp. Con'$p# o) Psy ops organ"-a#"on 12. Psy ops whether military or not, is one among many tools available to assist any government in the effort to achieve its national strategic or tactical ob6ectives. To overlook the necessary subordination of Psy ops to national ob6ectives is to misconstrue the nature and role of Psy ops completely. &t is within the dynamic of national security decision making pattern that psy ops organi3ation must be seen. %ationa security management is again concerned with the control and integration of the efforts of the ministry of defense #including armed forces$, :inistry of e'ternal affairs and various intelligence organi3ations. )orks of various organs of the ;overnment working to the attainment of Psy ops ob6ectives must be coordinatied at the highest level to reduce overpaps and gaps and to systemati3e inter-agency coordinatin. Policy must be set at the B Restricted

Restricted highest level by the national body concerned with national security. +asing of that policy a central coordinating body. Preferably part of the highest body concerned with national security, will workout Psy ops strategies and will allocate responsibilities to different line agencies e.g various interlligence organi3ation, diplomatic missions armed forces, government information agencies etc. -inally various line agencies will resort to various media to disseminate their proggammes to the target audience. 1>. P$rsonn$&. Personnel to be involved at various levels and department

connected with Psy ops are to be drawn from various backgrounds. There has to be a mi' of the following. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. i. People with innovative ideas-H&dea :enH. 1ervice personnel connected with defiance planning background. The Technicians The creative men-artist, writers The area e'perts. /nthropologists, historians, social scientists. :edia men with media resources. &ntelligence people #Research and analysis$. /dministrators. %ang&a $s!-T!r$a#s an Na#"ona& S#ra#$gy 1B. )hat is our threatF )ho is our adversaryF )hat is our %atinal &nterest, ob6ective

and strategiesF )e must have the answers to these (uestions is order to determine our Psy ops ob6ectives and priorities. T!r$a# Ana&ys"s 1C. ;eo-politically, other than &ndia, +angladesh shares only a small land and river

frontier of !C* kilometers with myanmer #+urma$. 8ogically the country surrounding +angladesh on three sides can be considered ma6or source of potential threat. %ow the C Restricted

Restricted (uestion arises how this giant neighbour would like to tackle her own national security concerns as far as those relate to usF :ilitaryly or economically we do not pose any threat to this neighbour. +ut that does not mean, she will not have any strategy for dealing with us. 1he may not contemplate any military aggression against us , as this would noly complicate her e'isting internal problems especially in her estern part. The alternative open to her is obviously a long term psy ops strategy. This strategy would in all progbability include various measures to undermine +angladesh s potential in political, cultural, social and economic fields with a view to crippling us from within, to neutrali3e us without resorting to any e'pesiive military measures. &f a nation can be mae culturally and morally bankrupt, industrially and economically backward, intellectually nad academically corrupt and above all devoid of any values and ideology, it does not re(uire to be con(uered militarily. Poples s will and spirit is the main strength of a nation. &f that can be destroyed, i.e national pride, national will to resist foreigh aggression can be damaged, they can be easily made to comply with the adversary s will. )hile analy3ing threat, we must consider e'ternal threat in relation to internal vulnerabilities of the country. -ollowing aspects e'plain the degree and nature of e'ternal threat in relation to our socio, cultural, political and economic vulnerabilities. a. C(&#(ra& T!r$a#. +ecause of common historical and cultural background +angladeshi are susceptible to our neighbor s cultural and literary activities of subversive nature. Through literatures, 0ultural programmers, movies etc. our adversary s efforts to destroy the core value of society is sure to achieve success unless appropriate countermeasures are taken. b. Po&"#"'a& an E'ono."' S(/*$rs"on. Political subversion is aimed

at installing loyal political regime that would follow subservient policy and comply with will and making our country a good market for the industrial products of the adversary can be achieved by instigating industrial laborers for creating prolonged restlessness. The sign and symptom inside the country is indicative of such attempts.

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Restricted c. S(/*$rs"on aga"ns# Ar.$ For'$s. 1trong armed forces and

healthy civil military relation is a pre-re(uiste for attaining desired strength of the nation. 1ub-versive propaganda aimed at destroying the loyalty of the members of the armed forme is a threat to be considered. Iur armed forces is particularly valuerable to such threats as the effects of our cocial restlessness and disorder are also affecting the armed -orces. d. T!r$a# Aga"ns# E ('a#"on Sys#$.. The present self destructive

process in the educational institutions may have covert involment of interested foreign power. Iur students community can be a target of hostile psy ops efforts. e. F")#! Co&(.n"s#s. -ifth columinists form various background and

shades of our society can help the adversary achieve her ob6ectives. )hen fifth columnists e'ist in intelligentsia community, damage is inevitable and deep rooted. &f we are careful, we cannot but notice such indications in our society. f. T!r$a# Aga"ns# Na#"ona& In#$gra#"on. 8ack of national consensus

on allmma6or issues in the main characteristic of our socio-economic and political lifr. /n almost entirely homogenous population in terms of religion, language. 0ulture in divided on the (uestion of very basic issue like national and cultural identify. Iur neighbour s interest in perpetuating such schism is (uite understandable. &nsurgents in 0"T, minority communities are special target of the adversary s propaganda besides many other socio-political cultural organi3ations. Na#"ona& In#$r$s#s an S#ra#$g"$s. 17. Iur national interest lies, in a word, in our national development, )e are not in a

race for military supremacy or ac(uisition of shphisticated weapons with any country. %either we are in the race of asserting our role and status on regional basis. Iur foreign policy is friendship to all and enmity to none. Iur national ob6ective is achieving self reliance in all fields, a homegenous economic development for our people, ensuring their 1= Restricted

Restricted basic need. &f this is the national ob6ectives, national strategy is supposed to be formulated to attai this ob6ective. To achieve the national ob6ectives we need our own home in order, we need political and social stability social order and discipline for economic development ot take place unhindered, uninterrupted, we need cooperation of our neighbours, )e need friendly relation with all the countries. )e need good bilateral relation with all the countries. )e need good bilateral relation with individual country and need to establish our position, pro6ect our problems and establish our credibility in the international forum. "owever, we need to solve our bilateral problem with neighbours through amicable steelementH but if that is not possible, we need to draw the sympathy and attention of friendly countries to our cause. Iur national ob6ectives, national interests and national strategies can be summari3ed as under. a. Na#"ona& O/0$'#"*$s. Dnsure basic needs of the people and attain a self reliant economy. b. Na#"ona& In#$r$s#. #1$ #!$ c. D'ternal help, economic assistance. D'ternal 1upport to own cause.

Na#"ona& S#ra#$gy. #1$ Dnsure internal stability #!$ Darn ;ood relation with and sympathy of friendly countries. #*$ /ssert own cause and establish own credibility forcefully in the world community. PSY OPS CONCEPT FOR %ANGLADESH

!=.

"aving identified source and nature of threat and national ob6ectives, interests and

strategy and having understood the concept of Psy ops in general, we are now in a postion to develop spy ops policy concept fro +angladesh. -irst thing we need to do is deciding upon psy ops policy or ob6ectives.

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Restricted !1. Na#"ona& Po&"'y on Psy Ops. &f we keep in mind our national ob6ectives it

should not be difficult for us to formulate our national policy on psy ops. )e propose that all psy ops measures should be directed to. a. &mmunise own populace and armed forces from subversive anti-national

propaganda and hostile psy ops measures. b. ;uard against the propaganda or activities of antistate or anti national

elements inside the country. c. Darn sympathy and support of the world community in general and proven friendly countries in particular to own cause. d. 1often up the populace and armed forces of our adversary, so as to make them understand the futility of their governments hostile efforts. e. &solate insurgents in 0"T and win the hearts and minds of the pople of 0"T. f. -orge %ational intergration through achieving national consensus on all fundamental and ma6or national essues. I $n#")y"ng Targ$# A( "$n'$ !!. &dentifying target audience also becomes easy once policy is formulated. To fulfil

above ob6ectives we need to target the following as audience of our Psy ops efforts. -irst let us sea target audience inside the country as target of defensive psy ops measures. a. O+n p$op&$. )hen own people is considered a target audience should we call it Psy opsF The answer to this we discussed earlier that the offensive Psy ops measure of the hostile country can be countered by defensive psy ops measures. )hen Psy ops effort is directed to immuni3e own people, it is nothing but defensive Psy ops measures. )hat we call it is immaterial, since organi3ation 1! Restricted

Restricted and techini(ue should essentially be the same. 0ommunicating to own people through mass media or other means is the answer to hostile psy ops measures. b. O+n ar.$ )or'$. Iwn armed force must be protected aginst hostile

propaganda and subversive activities. -or that correct motivation of armed forces personnel is very important. The motivation should be aimed at building up confidence and convication amont the member of armed forces, so that they can themselves identify the hostile psy ops efforts or subversive actions. c. M"nor"#y Co..(n"#"$s. :inority communities are also covered,

when we mentioned own populace, but we fell a separate mention is necessary 6ust to distinguish it as separate target audience. The reason is that they are very susceptible to hostile psy ops measures, Theire feelings can be easily e'ploited by hostile psy ops because of their imagind inferiority comple'. d. D"ss" $n#s1An#"-Na#"ona& E&$.$n#s. Dvery country has dissident

gourp or anti-national elements. )e may call them fifth columnists. )e don t want to identify them here. +ut they aremoer or less known, They should be made specific target of Psy ops measures in order to change their attitude. e. !*. Ins(rg$n#s an p$op&$ o) CHT. )e shall discuss it separately.

%ow let s look at ht list of foreigh target audience. . a. b. c. ;overnment and people of friendly foreigh countries. &nternational community at large. People and armed forces of immediate neighbours.

Organ"-a#"on an M$as(r$s !,. Na#"ona& L$*$&. )e have already discussed how various organs of the

government get involve in Psy ops functions and in that we have talded about the need 1* Restricted

Restricted for policy making at the highest level. )ho does it and how coordination of psy ops efforts is to be done has been also discussed. &f you may recall those aspects, it would now be easier for us to propose a psy ops organi3ation at national level. / proposed organi3ational structure is given at /n' /. !2. G!arg$r o) D(#"$s o) Psy ops "r$'#ora#$. a. Proposed directorate for Psy

ops may have the following as charter of duties. To prepare frame work of psy ops goals and ob6ective within the ;overnment policy and its strategy. To support strategic plans, it will re(uire to coordinate its efforts ith the various ministries shown in the organi3ational chart. b. Guring peace time and period of preparation, carry out studied of target of

countries #as established from the angle of Psy ops$ prepare programmes for publicityEpropaganda and disseminate them through various media in consultation with concerned agencies. c. To study and evaluate the publicity and counger propaganda material for

anti subversion. d. Prepare special motivational and industrial literature for maintenance of

moral of people and armed forces. e. f. To plan and devise suitable efforts in Psy ops against insurgents in 0"T. To continuously carry out trials and evaluation and updating of methods,

media and techni(ues of Psy ops. !>. :ass motivation programme should be undertaken to achieve Psy ops ob6ectives

enumerated earlier through the use of mass media like radio, television, documentaryE feature films, publications, books, pamphlets etc. Juestion may be raised that this short of government publicity already, we e'perience everyday, &s it Psy opsF The answer is 1, Restricted

Restricted Kes it is a kind of Psy ops aimed e'clusively at bolstering named and fame of the e'isting government. 1o the danger of Psy ops organi3ation and intelligence organi3ation being used for parochial interest of government and government party remains which must be guarded against to ensure e'clusive national interest above every thing. !B. /t international level Psy ops measures would include. a. D'change of cultural groups and prgrammes with friendly countries, to put forward own problem and views, earn friendship and sympathy to own cause. b. 1ignificant role played by our diplomatic missions in international forum

and concerned countries about national view point on various issues. c. )ell thought our and designed foreign language programe of +angladesh

Radio keeping in mind the psy ops re(uirements. d. ;uiding RadioET? programme and national news medias for skillful Psy

ops against the people and armed forces of our immediate neighboring countires without giving out such intentions. !C. Ar.$ For'$s L$*$&2 %ow let s see what we can do at armed forces level

for organi3ing Psy ops. /rmed forces would receive necessary guidance and direction from national Psy ops organi3ation through :inistry of Gefence and 1upreme 0ommander s "ead(uarters. / proposed Psy ops organi3ation at armed forces level and organi3ation of Psy ops unit are given at /n' + and 0 respectively. !7. F(n'#"ons o) Psy ops (n"# 2 The proposed Psy ops unit should be raised under

army "ead(uarters and it should be sLo organi3ed that it can work centrally as a unit and carry out Psy ops programme as directed by /"J. &t should also be able to detach small detachments to perform certain functions at formation level to augement formation Psy ops efforts. :ovies, publications, poster, leaflets #)ar time or now in 0"T$ etc. can be lplanned prepared and distributed by this unit, formation can have their small Psy ops 12 Restricted

Restricted unit in the similar line. "owever, we propose initially a unit to be resised on e'perimental basis under /"J and later on depending on its effectiveness and utility small unit may be reised in the formations. *=. Psy ops M$as(r$s a# Ar.$ For'$s L$*$&. The Psy ops measures that

should be undertaken at armed forces level are given below. a. b. c. d. Troops motivation Programme. &nstilling national ideals among all ranks. 0reating awareness against hostile subversion and Psy ops measures :otivation propramme among population to ensure better officers intake

for +angladesh :ilitary /cademy and better recruits for armsE 1ervices. e. Irani3ing armed forces cultural team and arrage visit abroad to establish

goodwill and rapport with friendly countries and their armed forces. f. Programmes like /%&R+/% and G<R+/R to be redesigned keeping in

mind Psy ops re(uirement i.e. better civil military relations. g. *1. /rrange (uality publication, @ournals, literatures for such motivation. The following are suggested.

Psy ops Tra"n"ng a# Ar.$ For'$s. a. b.

Train commanders at all levels on Psy ops. Train units on psy ops measures and programmes before moving to 0"T.

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Restricted c. Train selected officers 6unior- 0ommissioned officers, %on-commissioned

officers at /rmed -orces Psy ops Training 0entre on languages and Psy ops methodsEtechni(ues. d. /rmed -orces Psy ops Training 0entre may run two types of courses for various levels. Ine is language course and the other is psy ops course covering the following block sub6ects. #1$ #!$ #*$ #,$ #2$ P1K IP1 concept #to incl defensive and offensive Psy ops$ <se and e'ploitation of modern communication :eans. :otivational Theories and 0oncept. Psychological persuation-its need and importance for /rmed -orces. 0ulture and 1ociety.

CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS *!. &nsurgency problem in 0hittagong hill tracts #0"T$ demands special attention

with regard to Psy ops measures to be undertaken there. The reason is that the whole battle is abut winning over hearts and mind of the people for which Psy ops is the answer. 8et us first identify present psy ops efforts in 0"T, its shortcoming and then we would recommend measures to overcome the present shortcomings. Pr$s$n# Psy ops E))or#s "n CHT **. Organ"-a#"on S$# (p. &n -act there is on organi3ational set up to prosecute psychological operation in 0"T at national level. The -oreign :inistry has a cell to monitor activities of insurgents and their front men in international forums. Through this, the foreign :inistry pro6ects our case and counters insurgent propaganda in these forums with the help of our missions abroad. The :inistry of &nformational has placed the television team located at 0hittagong at the Gisposal of "ead(uarter !, infantry Givision to cover activities of 0"T and pro6ect these through +angladesh Television. "ead(uarter 1B Restricted

Restricted !, infantry Givision carries out psy ops to a limited scale through use of indigenous means and resources. *,. Pay Ops o/0$'#"*$s "n CHT. The ob6ective set by the "J !, infantry

Givision for conducting Psy ops in 0"T are as follows. a. Giplomatically neutrali3ing international agencies and countries

sympathetic to insurgent cause by presenting our cause to them through diplomatic channels and by diplomatic manoouvers. b. 9eep People informed about the steps taken by the ;overnment to

improve the lot of the people and arrive at a solution to the problem. c. d. e. f. g. )in over and maintain the support of the people. 0ounter insurgent propaganda. 0reate public opinion in favor of the Milla local ;overnment parishads. Dffects surrender of &nsurgents. Gevelop confidence of the people of 0"T on the security forces and make

the security forces the friend of the people. h. Pro6ect atrocities committed by the insurgents against both the non-tribals

and tribals. i. 0reate rift in insurgent leadership and generate frustration among

insurgent ranks.

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Restricted 6. Gevelop greater harmony and atmosphere for coe'istence of tribals and

non-tribals. k. l. m. *2. Dncourage return of refugees from across the border. Pro6ect the anti-people activities of the insurgent leaders. Dnhance morale of the security forces. The means and the methods pre sently

M$ans an M$#!o s A op#$ .

identified are as follows. a. Irganising regular mess contact prgrammes in important places of 0"T at

all level. b. c. d. e. :otivating the people by friendly discussionEtalk whenever possible. Gistribution leaflets inside 0"T and across the border at regular intervals. Geclaring general amnestry to the insurgents from time to time. Irgani3ing visits and briefing of foreign diplomats foreign visitors,

member of various human right organi3ation from time to time. f. Dnsuring regular media coverage of all development activities undertaken

for 0"T and the steps taken by the ;overnment to resole the problem. g. <ndertaking pacification and civic action programmed regularly and

continuously. h. PublishingEbroadcasting interviews of tribals on matters of 0"T. 17 Restricted

Restricted 6. Irgani3ing media coverage of activities of the security forces and local

administration. Pro/&$.s an S!or#'o."ngs *>. /s it can be seen from the foregoing, measure i.e. means and methods have been

rightly identified . +ut the main problem lies in the lack of organi3ed efforts. &n the absence of policy guidance and coordination at the highest level, the efforts are dis6ointed and the main brunt of the efforts are on !, infantry division, who neither has any dedicated organi3ation for conducting Psy ops nor has necessary e'pertise and skill for the task. There are no personnel trained on Psy ops. )e may recall here that the command and control organi3ation for counter revolutionary warfare set up in :alaysia during their fight against communist insurgency. "ad psy ops committee organi3ed at every level. Gue to this lack of proper organi3ation the military commander and staff concerned with 0"T Perform the task of psy ops in addition to their normal operational tasks based on their own e'perience and individual competence. /s a result, some do better than other and continuity of efforts cannot be maintained. -or e'ample, a military commander responsible for a 3one may have achieve substantial progress and gains achieved so far, due to his ine'perience or lack of understanding of the psy ops aspects. <hus occasional lapses may 6eopardi3e the gains made so far and long range psychological ob6ectives. 0hittagong "ill Tracts 0ommission, an international organi3ation formed to investigate human right violation in 0"T ?ested 0"T in %ovember 177=. Ine of the Photographs published in their 1!B page report has shown the presence of a policeman with demonstrators displaying banner we love +angladesh. The caption of the photograph )e love +angladesh under the watchful eye of the army. &s enough to damage the gains made in the international forum by our diplomatic missions. / 1mall lapse causing big damage. The means and methods that have been rightly identified are only partially implemented due to lack of organi3ation and skill. &nsurgency in 0"T is a regional issue and as such the national broadcasting medias #Television and Radio$ cannot devote worthwhile time on regular basis to cover 0"T. Thereby two very important tools for psy ops which could reach the insurgency even != Restricted

Restricted across the border is not utili3ed. +esides, population mostly being uneducated and reaching published materials to the insurgents across the border being difficult propaganda value of printed materials is limited. The other ma6or failure is that our diplomatic missions have not been able to create a +angladesh lobby in &ndia to bring pressure on &ndian ;overnment to withdraw support from the insurgents and return for the refuges. The diplomatic missions also could not impress upon various would forums like /mnesty &nternational and other bodies that the atrocities done the so called shanty +ahini is much more that astray incidents committed by the local settlers. The problems of conducting psy ops in 0"T can be summari3ed as under. a. %o dedicated organi3ation and organi3ed offort. b. 8ack of continuity of efforts. c. %o policy guidance and coordination at national level. d. 8ack of trained personnel, e'pertise and skill e. 8imited value of printed publicity as people are uneducated. f. :inimal coverage by radio and television. g. 8ack of understanding of the problem by the intelligentsia of the country. h. &nade(uate press coverage of the ;overnment development activates in 0"T. *B. To overcome the shortcoming and deficiencies that we have identified we recommend the followings. a. /n organi3ational set up at local levels. i.e. at !, infantry division and *

regions. b. These organi3ations at local levels would receive policy guidance from the

highest level organi3ation that we have already discussed. c. !, &nfantry division should have its own psy ops unit or a big slice of psy

ops unit to be raised under /"J #Giscussed earlier$ should be allotted to !, infantry division. !1 Restricted

Restricted d. 0ivil e'perts, technicians, artists, cartoonists, writers etc. should be

recruited for the local organi3ations thus set up. e. Radio transmitters, printing machineries and film pro6ectors should be

arranged for local psy ops organi3ations to ensure effective and ade(uate communications independently. f. g. <se of e'isting T? transmission facilities during idle period. !, &nfantry division and the brigades under it should have their own

dedicated psy ops staffs. *C. The /rmy Psy ops resources must be utili3ed in con6unction with civil Psy ops

resources which should be held in * hill districts, with local civil administration, civil resources can also be similar like army s. <se of T? transmission during idle period, radio, transmitters and mobile cinema section of Psy ops unit will be highly effective in reaching large audience in their own language. The whole day programme can be arranged this way broadcasting cultural programme of 0hittagong "ill Tracts, arranging interviews with tribal leaders, surrendered insurgents and motivation lectures by them. RECOMMENDATION *7. /fter e'amining various aspects of Psy ops in +angladesh conte't our

recommendations can be summari3ed as under. a. b. %ational policy on Psy ops and national level organi3ation to be set up. %ational security council to be set up and it should control Psy ops efforts

should be basically defensive in nature. c. d. Psy ops efforts should be basically defensive in nature. 8imited offensive Psy ops should be undertaken to enhance vital national

interests. !! Restricted

Restricted e. /rmed force should have its integral Psy ops resources #Psy ops

organi3ation and e(uipment$. Con'&(s"on ,=. )hile impending physical damage can be sensed, psychological damage occurs

silentlyH it creeps into the national psyche and eats up the vitals of the concerned society. &t is more important to keep ourselves safe from such damage by making our people and armed forces aware on such threat. Therefore, our Psy ops should aim at countering hostile psy ops efforts which have already threatened our society in a very big way. ,1. &t is said offense is the best defence. -rom this perspective we should also

undertake limited Psy ops efforts to put forward our views and get the people and armed forces of our relevant neighbors or potential adversaries convinced about our cause vis-asis the futility of their ;overnment s hostile attitude towards us. ,!. )e must do our best to establish our cause at the international forums, through all

kinds of means targeting friendly and neutral countries. Psy ops efforts whether aimed at domestic audience of friendlyEhostile foreign audience must be well integrated through a common policy at national level, we fell a materially weaker country like ours can compensate its shortfalls substantially by undertaking planned psy ops measures. )e are hopeful that our awareness in this regard would certainly take turn into a positive direction soon.

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Restricted %I%LIOGRAPHY %oo3s 1. +alfour :achael, Propaganda in war 17*7-17,2, rouledge and kegan

limited 8ondon 17*7. !. 172,. *. Gaugherty )illiam D. &n 0ollaboration with :orris @anowit3, / -arago 8adislas, )ar of )its, ;reenwwd Press Publishers 0onnecticut

pshchological )arfare 0asebook, the @ohn "opkins Press, +altimore, 172C ,. :claurin R" :ilitary Propaganda Psychological )arfare and Iperations,

Praeger publisher %ew Kour 17C!. 4o(rna&s 2. +hadram R :a6or Psychological )arfare in 0ombat @ournal The college of 0ombat :how &ndia /ugust 17C7. >. 9handuri 0handra + +rigadier, Psychological warfare-/ case for Getailed

/nalysis an organi3ation in combat @ournal , :how &ndia /pril 17C7.

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