The IS connection: 5 things to know about Indian firms supplying IED components

A look into the details of the CAR report and the names of these Indian firms

The study by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) showed that 51 companies from 20 countries such as Turkey, India, Brazil, and the US produced, sold or received the over 700 components used by ISIS to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

A European Union (EU)-mandated study has revealed that seven Indian companies whose components were used by the Islamic State to make explosives. The study by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) showed that 51 companies from 20 nations produced, sold or received over 700 components used by IS to build improvised explosive devices (IEDs). 

Business Standard lists out the details of the organisation reports and takes a look at the Indian companies figuring in the list. 

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What is CAR?

Conflict Armament Research (CAR) is an independent organisation mandated by the European Union (EU) to investigate the supply of weapons into armed conflicts.

What is the CAR report on? How was it prepared?

Since July 2014, the CAR has worked in concert with Iraqi and Syrian forces to document materiel recovered in military action against IS (Islamic state) forces. These partners include: the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units, the Iraqi Federal Police, the Kurdistan Region Security Council, the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and the Military Council of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. 

The CAR documented components presented in this report following their recovery during major battles around the Iraqi towns of al Rabia, Kirkuk, Mosul, and Tikrit and the Syrian town of Kobane.  The report was titled ‘Tracing the supply of components used in Islamic State IEDs’.

Why IEDs?

IEDs have become IS forces’ signature weapon. Their chains of supply differ from those of military weapons. Indeed, for the most part, IED components are commercial goods that are not subject to government export licences and whose transfer is far less scrutinised and regulated than the transfer of weapons 

What CAR report says of Indian companies?
 

Seven Indian companies manufactured most of the detonators, detonating cords, and safety fuses as documented by CAR’s field investigation teams. Under Indian law, 

transfer of this material requires a licence. All components documented by CAR were legally exported under government-issued licences from India to entities in Lebanon and Turkey.

Which are the Indian companies named and what did they supply?

Item Supplied	Name of the Company	Country
Detonating Cord	Gulf Oil Corporation	India
Detonating Cord	Solar Industries	India
Detonating Cord and detonators	Premier Explosives	India
Detonating Cord and detonators	Rajasthan Exlosives and Chemicals	India
Safety Fuse	Chamundi Explosives	India
Detonators	Economic Explosives	India
Detonators	IDEAL Industrial Explosives	India