Risk profiling in asymmetric warfare through intelligent analysis of images and neural networks

Security agencies across the world are facing major challenge from the left-wing extremism and terrorism. Terrorists plan to create liberated zones by forming guerrilla squads. They plant IEDs to stop movement of security forces. Forces due to the inadequacy of traditional tools and techniques, unfamiliar terrain, lack of knowledge of local language are struggling hard to get an upper hand over the militia, while launching various operations. In 2010, 132 police officers lost their lives in these operations. In order to overcome these shortcomings, in this paper, digital image analysis and neural networks have been used to predict risk profile of an area which acts as alert to security forces conducting operations. Before conducting any CASO or Ambush, troops undertake operational-planning based on terrain features, intelligence inputs and risk profile of the area. These tools have been very useful in reduction of number of losses to 26 police officers in 2011.