As per Bruce Hoffman, “Terrorism is the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear through violence or the threat of violence in the pursuit of political change.”
Terrosim as a global scourge (Global Terrorism Index 2025)
over 8,000 terrorism-related deaths globally (2024)
Islamic State (IS) expanded its operations to 22 countries
Terrorist attacks jumped by 63% in the West
India witnessed Pahalgam terrorist attack in 2025
Manifestations of Terrorism in India
State-Sponsored Terrorism – Pakistan-backed groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir – Radicalisation, infiltration, and hybrid terrorism
Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) – Naxalite-Maoist insurgency in âRed Corridorâ
Ethno-Nationalist Militancy in the N-E – Insurgent groups like ULFA (Assam), NSCN (Nagaland).
Urban & âLone-Wolfâ Terrorism – Eg- Recent Delhi Blast
Narco-Terrorism along Golden Traingle and Golden Crescent
Financing of Terrorism – Use of Hawala, Fake Currency, NGOs, and Cryptocurrency
Digital and Cyber-Terrorism – Online recruitment, fundraising and encrypted communications.
Counter-Measures Adopted by the State
Legislative Measures
UAPA, 1967 – empowers State to designate individuals as terrorists.
NIA Act, 2008 – established National Investigation Agency with nationwide jurisdiction.
PMLA, 2002 – to curb money laundering and terror financing.
Institutional Mechanisms
National Security Council Secretariat headed by the NSA for inter-agency coordination
NATGRID and Multi-Agency Centre for real-time intelligence sharing and coordination
Operational Measures
Operation Sindoor, Surgical Strikes (2016) and Balakot airstrikes (2019) as deterrence.
Operation All-Out in J&K to neutralize militants.
Border & Internal Security Measures
Fencing and electronic surveillance along the Indo-Pak and Indo-Bangladesh borders.
Use of drones, radars, and thermal imaging to detect infiltration.
Community Engagement
De-radicalisation programmes in J&K.
Heart and mind strategy – Eg- Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) of Indian Army
Employment and Skill Development to mainstream youth. Eg- Udaan Scheme
International Cooperation
Active role in FATF to blacklist terror-financing states.
UN sanctions listing of terrorists like Masood Azhar and Hafiz Saeed.
The zero tolerance against terrorism strategy needs 4-pronged approach
Strengthening HUMINT (Human Intelligence) and TECHINT (Technological Intelligence).
SMART Borders (Madhukar Gupta Committee)
Raising cost of terrorism for Pakistan. Eg- Operation Sindoor
Human-centric Counterinsurgency