Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain

Q9. Terrorism is a global scourge. How has it manifested in India? Elaborate with contemporary examples. What are the counter measures adopted by the State? Explain.(10 Marks,150 Words)

Model Answer

Terrorism is a global scourge that threatens peace, security, and development. India, due to its geopolitical location, porous borders, and internal diversity make it highly vulnerable to cross-border terrorism, radicalisation, and extremist movements.

Manifestation of Terrorism in India

• Cross-Border State-Sponsored Terrorism: Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) conduct attacks in India.
  • E.g. The Resistance Front (TRF)—a front for Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was involved in the attack in Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians.

• Cross-Border Sanctuaries: North-East insurgent groups (ULFA, NSCN, Manipuri outfits) find shelters in Myanmar, Bangladesh, and China. These safe havens enable them to regroup, receive support, and operate more effectively, posing a significant challenge to India’s internal security.

• Global Jihadist Influence (ISIS, Al-Qaeda): For radicalisation and recruitment, terror groups disseminate violent content targeting vulnerable youth, such as propaganda videos that show military training and other battlefield activities.
  • E.g. Indian modules are linked to ISIS-Khorasan in Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana.
• Diaspora-Linked Terror Movements: Global propaganda campaigns amplify separatist narratives.
  • E.g. Radical Khalistani groups in Canada, UK, and USA fund and incite violence in Punjab.
• Crime -Terrors Nexus: In India, a significant and growing connection exists between organized crime and terrorism, where the proceeds from criminal activities directly fund terrorist operations, a nexus often referred to as the “crime-terror nexus”. 
• Terror Financing via Global Networks Funds from Gulf countries, Pakistan-based hawala operators, spread terrorist activities through financing it. 
• Arms Trafficking: Illegal weapons supplied through Afghanistan–Pakistan route and Myanmar corridor finance extremist activities.
• Narco-Terrorism & Financial Flows: Drugs from the Golden Crescent/Triangle fuel terrorism. 
  • Eg: 3,000 kg heroin seizure at Mundra Port (2021) linked to Pakistan syndicates.
• Online Radicalisation & Brainwashing: Terror outfits use Telegram, WhatsApp, and dark web forums to recruit vulnerable youth.
  • Eg: ISIS-linked youth modules (“Junood-ul-Khilafa-e-Hind”) busted in Kerala, Telangana.
• Social Media Propaganda & Disinformation: Fake news, doctored videos, and hate propaganda are used to spread extremist ideologies.
  • Eg: Pro-Khalistani propaganda amplified on Twitter/YouTube during farmer protests.
• Cyber-Terrorism & Digital Sabotage: Hacking of government databases, phishing, and targeting of financial systems.
  • Eg: Pakistan-based hackers attacked Indian power grid networks in 2021

Counter measures adopted by State

• Military response:

• Robust Counter-Terror Operations: Launch of Operation Mahadev (2025) to eliminate TRF/LeT operatives, including masterminds behind Pahalgam attack.
• Surgical & Precision Strikes: Post-Pahalgam, India carried out midnight strikes on over 70 Pakistan-based terror camps.

• Legal Framework

• • Strengthening of UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) for designating individuals and outfits like TRF as terrorist entities.
  • FATF-linked Monitoring: Tracing hawala and foreign funding channels.

• Tech-Enabled Counter-Terrorism

• • AI-powered facial recognition and predictive surveillance in J&K.
  • Use of drones for real-time reconnaissance in infiltration-prone zones.
  • Development of Integrated Counter-Terror Databases to share intelligence across agencies.

• Civil Defence & Preparedness: Operation Abhyaas (2025) was launched as a Nationwide civil defence drill covering 244 districts—simulated blackouts, evacuations, and mass casualty training.

• • Enhanced Intelligence and Surveillance: through human intelligence (HUMINT), advanced drones, CCTV, and electronic surveillance systems to monitor high-risk areas like tourist spots and the Line of Control (LoC).
  • Improved Security Forces and Rapid Response: by deploying more security personnel along critical tourist routes and establishing rapid reaction teams (QRTs) to ensure quick, effective responses to attacks.
  • International and Diplomatic Pressure on Pakistan: India continues diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan on international platforms, pressuring it to end its support for cross-border terrorism and strengthen counter-terrorism measures.
  • Economic and Social Development: State is Investing in economic development in Kashmir, focusing on employment opportunities, education, and infrastructure, to address the root causes of radicalization and ensure long-term peace and stability.

• Use of multilateral organisation:

• • India actively engages in BRICS, the UN Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee (UNSC CTC), and the UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund (CTTF) to counter state sponsored terrorism.

The challenge lies in terrorism’s evolving nature—spanning cross-border attacks, cyber radicalisation, narco-terror, and diaspora-funded extremism. A holistic way forward is a multi-pronged approach combining strong security measures with global cooperation, financial crackdowns, and community-led de-radicalisation to safeguard India’s long-term security.

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