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Last updated on October 29, 2022 by ClearIAS Team

Defining terrorism is a tedious and confusing task as there is a lack of consensus at the international level. However several efforts have been made in this regard.

Table of Contents

Defining Terrorism

An agreed, comprehensive definition of terrorism has never been created by the international community. The United Nations’ attempts to define the term during the 1970s and 1980s failed mostly because of disagreements among its members over the use of violence in conflicts over self-determination and national liberation. Due to these differences, a conclusion cannot be reached.

According to the FBI: “Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.”

Causes of Terrorism

There are many causes for terrorism such as:

Political causes

Insurgency and guerrilla warfare, a type of organized conflict, were the contexts in which terrorism was first theorized. A non-state army or organization committing political violence. Because they dislike the current system, they pick terrorism. They oppose the current social structure and wish to change it.

Religious reasons

In the 1990s, experts started to claim that a brand-new sort of terrorism propelled by religious zeal was on the increase. They cited groups like Al Qaeda, the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo, and Christian identity movements. Religious concepts like martyrdom were viewed as especially hazardous.

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Socio-Economic

According to socio-economic theories, persons who experience different types of deprivation are more likely to turn to terrorism or are more open to being recruited by groups that use terrorist tactics. Lack of political freedom, lack of access to education, and poverty are a few examples.

Types of Terrorism

The following are the various types of terrorism.

Ethno-Nationalist Terrorism

According to Daniel Byman, ethnic terrorism is the premeditated use of violence by a subnational ethnic group to further its cause. Such violence typically aims at either the establishment of a separate State or elevating one ethnic group above another.

Activities by Tamil nationalist groups in Srilanka are an example of Ethno-Nationalist terrorism.

Hoffman claims that those who engage in terrorism who are either wholly or partially driven by religious imperative view violence as a sacramental or heavenly responsibility. Religious terrorism is more destructive in nature because it adopts different justifications and modes of legitimization than other terrorist organizations.

Ideology oriented

Several ideologies have been used to legitimize terrorism. They include:

Left-Wing Extremism

The idea focuses on overthrowing the state through an armed struggle and establishing a communist state.

Right Wing Terrorism

Right-wing organizations typically aim to preserve the status quo or go back to a scenario from the past that they believe should have been preserved.

They might compel the government to seize a piece of land or to step in to defend the rights of a minority that is being “oppressed” in a neighboring nation.

State Sponsored Terrorism

State-sponsored terrorism and proxy war are as old as organized warfare itself. According to Walter Laqueur, these customs were in place in antiquity in the Eastern Empires, Rome and Byzantium, Asia, and Europe.

Impacts of Terrorism

It seriously jeopardizes global peace and security and undercuts the fundamental principles of growth, peace, and humanity. Terrorist activities not only have a catastrophic human cost in terms of lives lost or permanently changed, but they also endanger political stability and economic and social advancement.

Often, terrorist attacks disregard international boundaries.CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) materials are used in terrorist attacks that have devastating effects on infrastructure and communities.

Measures To Counter Terrorism

• The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) is responsible for leading and coordinating the UN system’s efforts to prevent and combat terrorism and violent extremism worldwide.
• Under UNOCT, the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) encourages global collaboration in the fight against terrorism and assists the Member States in putting the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy into practice.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) is a key player in global efforts.
• International standards are established by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) , a global organization that monitors money laundering and terrorist funding with the goal of preventing these illicit actions and the harm they do to society.

A combined effort at the international level is the need of the hour to tackle the perils of terrorism. Terrorism of any form is unacceptable in a civilized society.

Article written by: Vivek Rajasekharan

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Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. It is a global phenomenon that affects people from all walks of life, regardless of their nationality, religion, or ethnicity . 

What is Terrorism?

• In legal terms, although the international community has yet to adopt a comprehensive definition of terrorism, it is commonly understood to refer to acts of violence that target civilians in the pursuit of political or ideological aims.
• The Global Terrorism Index defines terrorism as ‘the threatened or actual use of illegal force and violence by a non-state actor to attain a political, economic, religious, or social goal through fear, coercion or intimidation’.
• The nature of terrorism today is shifting from traditional international terrorism of the late 20th century into a new form of transnational non-state warfare , backed modern warfare & digital technologies .

Recent Context-

• India is ranked 13th on The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2023, indicating its position among the countries significantly impacted by terrorism.
• The report highlights that Afghanistan remains the most affected country by terrorism, maintaining this status for the fourth consecutive year.

Types of Terrorism

Factors Leading to Spread of Terrorism

• g: Chechen terrorists in Russia.
• g: Religious persecution of people from Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan.
• g: Terrorism in Somalia, which is one of the poorest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• g: Taliban was formed in the early 1990s by Afghan mujahideen who had resisted the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979–89) with the covert backing of the CIA and its Pakistani counterpart, the Inter-Services Intelligence directorate (ISI).
• g: Mass gun shooting incidents in USA.

Challenges in controlling Terrorism

India specific

• Hostile neighbourhood which is breeding ground for terrorism
• Lack of citizen participation and private sector participation in beefing up the security apparatus
• absence of “bottom up” security architecture.
• Weak coordination between various security agencies.
• Presence of antinational element and insurgent group.

Global level

• Narrow Global War on Terrorism (GWOT):  The first challenge is that the “Global War on Terrorism” (GWOT), as it was conceived by a post 9/11 United States, is over with the withdrawal of the USA from Afghanistan, as the United States negotiated with the Taliban, and then withdrew from Afghanistan.
• Divided UN security council: In a polarized world divided opinion in the security council regarding the fight against terrorism.
• Toothless FATF: The decision of FATF is mostly affected by geopolitical trends around the world. This affects counterterrorism efforts negatively at global level.
• Linkages with organized crime: We are going study detail about this topic under separate heading

Terrorism & Technology

Use of Technology in propagating Terrorism/Extremism

• Multimedia communications providing ideological or practical instruction, explanations, justifications or promotion of terrorist activities.
• Modes - virtual messages, presentations, magazines, treatises, audio and video files and video games developed by terrorist organizations or sympathizers.
• Internet provides access to global pool of potential recruits , with ‘precise targeting’ of the poor & marginalized, disillusioned youth, minors, gender specific targeting etc.
• Lone wolf attacks by self-radicalised individuals using sources on the widely unregulated internet. For eg. In New Zealand, Paris, Bangladesh, Australia, UK etc.
• Modes - Internet chat groups, Encrypted messages of Whatsapp, etc.
• Use of digital transactions to raise finances for terror and to launder money.
• Direct solicitation , e-commerce , Exploitation of online payment tools , Charitable organizations
• On how to join terrorist organizations, construct explosives, firearms or other weapons, and plan and execute terrorist attacks.
• Modes – detailed online manuals, audio and video clips, information and advice.
• For eg. Inspire is an online magazine allegedly published by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula with the stated objective of enabling Muslims to train for jihad at home.
• Use of sophisticated Encrypted communication , UAVs, GPS Technology to plan and coordinate cross border terror attacks.
• During Uri and Pathankot attacks, GPS was used to infiltrate from blind spots of Border security agencies.
• Use of IED in Maoist areas with attacks remotely coordinated using mobile and satellite phones.
• 26/11 attack and use of satellite phones.
• Weaponized drones used by ISIS in Iraq.
• 3D printers – In 2019, the attacker of a German synagogue used 3D-printed components of the home-made weapons.
• Cyber-attack/Terrorism is an emerging threat that can potentially target critical infrastructure like power transmission, banking, nuclear installations etc. India has witnessed 3 rd highest number of cyber-attacks in the world.

Uses of the internet for countering terrorist activity

• Gathering of intelligence- []  proactively prevent, detect and deter terrorist activity.
• Gathering of evidence for the prosecution of Terrorist acts
• Counter-narratives & Awareness creation
• Cross border Anti-terrorism Cooperation & coordination

Global measures to break terrorism - technology nexus

• Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) – Set up in 2017 by Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and YouTube , dedicated to disrupting terrorist abuse of members’ digital platforms.
• Global Counterterrorism Forum – International forum to reduce the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism.
• Tech Against Terrorism - launched and supported by the United Nations Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate . Aims at supporting the tech industry tackle terrorist exploitation of the internet, whilst respecting human rights.
• The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact

Counter Terrorism: Institutional & Legal provisions

• Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) Division – set up within MHA. It deals with matters relating to policy and operational issues on terrorism.
• National Investigation Agency (NIA) as a Central Counter Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency.
• Multi Agency Centre (MAC) - created as a multi-agency intelligence coordination mechanism for counter terrorism.
• National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) - A framework that leverages Information Technology to enhance the country’s counter terrorism capability.
• Combating Financing of Terrorism Cell - in the MHA deals with the policy matters on Combating Terrorist Financing (CFT) and Fake Indian Currency notes (FICN).
• National Security Guard
• Recent amendments: The Parliament recently passed
• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 allowing the Centre and States to designate individuals as terrorists and seize their property.
• National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act, 2019 - to allow NIA to probe terrorist acts against Indians and Indian interests abroad. It also seeks to allow NIA to investigate cases of human trafficking, counterfeit currency or bank notes, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism etc.

Way Forward 

• Enhance intelligence sharing.
• Address root causes: socio-economic factors, political grievances, and ideological indoctrination.
• Strengthen international cooperation.
• Improve border security.
• Counter online radicalization.
• Strengthen legal frameworks.
• Build community resilience.
• Invest in capacity building and training.
• Enhance international humanitarian efforts.

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Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister has addressed the High-Level Segment of the 46th Session of Human Rights Council (HRC) and highlighted India’s commitment to human rights and its fight against terrorism .

• India’s approach to the UN Human Rights Council is guided by the spirit of engagement, dialogue and consultation .
• It believes that equal emphasis should be placed on both the promotion and protection of human rights as both are best pursued through dialogue, consultation and cooperation among States as well as technical assistance and capacity building .
• Death or serious bodily injury to any person.
• Serious damage to public or private property, including a place of public use, a State or government facility, a public transportation system, an infrastructure facility or the environment.
• Damage to property, places, facilities, or systems resulting in or likely to result in a major economic loss.
• It encompasses a range of complex threats like organized terrorism in conflict zones, foreign terrorist fighters, radicalised ‘lone wolves’, etc.
• State-sponsorship and safe havens .
• State-of-the-art communication systems .
• Access to advanced technology .
• Networking of terrorist groups with the criminal underworld .
• It poses a major threat to international peace and security and undermines the core values of humanity, peace and growth.
• In addition to the devastating human cost of terrorism, in terms of lives lost or permanently altered, terrorist acts destabilise governments and undermine economic and social development .
• Terrorist acts often defy national borders .
• Terrorist attacks using CBRNE materials (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) have catastrophic consequences on communities and infrastructure .

Global Efforts

• Across the globe, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) leads and coordinates an all-of-UN approach to prevent and counter-terrorism and violent extremism.
• UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) under UNOCT, promotes international cooperation in the fight against terrorism and supports the Member States in implementing the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy .
• It works to assist the Member States, upon request, with the ratification , legislative incorporation and implementation of the universal legal framework against terrorism.
• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is a global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog , sets international standards that aim to prevent these illegal activities and the harm they cause to society.

Steps Taken by India

• India, which has been a victim of cross-border terrorism , took cognizance of the threat long before the major world powers .
• It is a crime against humanity and violates the most Fundamental Human Right, namely the Right to Life ( Article 21 ).
• India has taken steps for setting up Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on counter-terrorism/security matters with countries. Bilateral treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLATs) in Criminal matters to facilitate the investigation, collection of evidence, transfer of witnesses, location and action against proceeds of crime, etc. have been signed with other countries.
• In 1996 , with the objective of providing a comprehensible legal framework to counter-terrorism, India proposed to the UNGA the adoption of CCIT.
• To have a universal definition of terrorism that all members would adopt into their own criminal laws.
• To ban all terror groups and shut down terror camps.
• To prosecute all terrorists under special laws.
• To make cross-border terrorism an extraditable offence worldwide.
• Addressing the UN High-Level Conference on Heads of Counter-Terrorism (2018), India extended a five-point formula .
• Summoning the political will to unhesitatingly combat terrorism.
• Decrying double standards in the fight against terrorism.
• Reform of the working methods of the Committees dealing with Sanctions and Counter-Terrorism.
• Firmly discouraging exclusivist thinking that divides the world and harms social fabric.
• Enlisting and delisting individuals and entities under the UN sanctions regimes objectively not for political or religious considerations.
• Fully recognising and addressing the link between terrorism and transnational organized crime.
• Combating terrorist financing.
• Immediate attention to adequate funding to UN Counter-Terrorism bodies from the UN regular budget.
• Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System: It vastly improves the capability of Border Security Force (BSF) in detecting and controlling the cross border crimes like illegal infiltration, smuggling of contraband goods, human trafficking and cross border terrorism, etc.
• Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967: It enables more effective prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations and for dealing with terrorist activities, and other related matters.
• National Investigation Agency: It is India’s counter-terrorist task force and is empowered to deal with terror related crimes across states without special permission from the states.
• Policy of Zero-Tolerance Against Terrorism: India calls for zero-tolerance agianst terrorism and focuses on developing a common strategy to curb it.
• Operation Rakshak: Counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 1990.
• Operation Sarp Vinash: Undertaken by Indian army to flush out terrorists in the areas of the Pir Panjal range in Jammu and Kashmir in 2003.
• Operation All Out: Joint offensive launched by Indian security forces to flush out militants and terrorists in Kashmir in 2017.

Suggestions and Way Forward

• Strong and Reformed Institutions: Multilateral institutions and mechanisms need to be strengthened and reformed to be able to deal with these emerging challenges effectively.
• Concerted Efforts: There should be a concerted effort from the countries affected by the scourge of terrorism to pressurise countries that engage in state-sponsored terrorism.
• Intelligence agencies have to be empowered both monetarily and through modern infrastructure to be able to respond in time.
• Filling and Addressing Gaps: Violation of and gaps in the implementation of human rights should be addressed in a fair and just manner, with objectivity, non-selectivity, transparency and with due respect to the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and national sovereignty.
• United Approach and Efforts: The Covid-19 pandemic has complicated the situation in many geographies so there is a need for all to come together to overcome these challenges.

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Home » Security Issues » Terrorism » Reasons for rise of Terrorism

• Terrorism has been a threat not only to India’s democracy but countries worldwide affecting the enjoyment of rights of people. Terrorism has slammed and affected almost every sphere of human life, be it economic or political or social life .
• Broadly, terrorism is the antithesis of independence, development and human rights. The frontier regions of India, especially regions bordering Pakistan are the worst affected regions by terrorism .
• Terrorism, in all its form, is the greatest violator of human rights . The ruthless, barbaric, inhuman killing of innocent people is carried out by the terrorists with a view not only to challenge the authority of the Government , but also to put the security and sovereignty of the country in jeopardy.
• Terrorism in India is characterized by communist, Islamists and separatist groups. Communist terrorist groups are by far the most frequent perpetrators and the main cause of terrorism deaths in India.
• India continues to face a number of terror attacks from Islamic groups in Kashmir, Sikh separatists in Punjab, and secessionist groups in Assam.
• The most immediate and measurable impact of terrorism is physical destruction. Terrorists destroy existing plants, machines, transportation systems and other economic resources. On smaller scales, acts of terrorism may blow up different public places, markets or religious places. The impact of terrorism is always negative for the economy.
• Productive resources that might have generated valuable goods and services are destroyed, while other resources are almost invariably diverted from other productive uses to bolster the military and defense. None of these create wealth or adds to the standard of living.
• The best strategy to isolate and defeat terrorism is by respecting human rights, fostering social justice, enhancing democracy and upholding the primacy of the rule of law.

Trends in Terrorism:

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Terrorism Essay for Students and Teacher

500+ words essay on terrorism essay.

Terrorism is an act, which aims to create fear among ordinary people by illegal means. It is a threat to humanity. It includes person or group spreading violence, riots, burglaries, rapes, kidnappings, fighting, bombings, etc. Terrorism is an act of cowardice. Also, terrorism has nothing to do with religion. A terrorist is only a terrorist, not a Hindu or a Muslim.

Types of Terrorism

Terrorism is of two kinds, one is political terrorism which creates panic on a large scale and another one is criminal terrorism which deals in kidnapping to take ransom money. Political terrorism is much more crucial than criminal terrorism because it is done by well-trained persons. It thus becomes difficult for law enforcing agencies to arrest them in time.

Terrorism spread at the national level as well as at international level.  Regional terrorism is the most violent among all. Because the terrorists think that dying as a terrorist is sacred and holy, and thus they are willing to do anything. All these terrorist groups are made with different purposes.

Causes of Terrorism

There are some main causes of terrorism development  or production of large quantities of machine guns, atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, nuclear weapons, missiles, etc. rapid population growth,  Politics, Social, Economic  problems, dissatisfaction of people with the country’s system, lack of education, corruption, racism, economic inequality, linguistic differences, all these are the major  elements of terrorism, and terrorism flourishes after them. People use terrorism as a weapon to prove and justify their point of view.  The riots among Hindus and Muslims are the most famous but there is a difference between caste and terrorism.

The Effects Of Terrorism

Terrorism spreads fear in people, people living in the country feel insecure because of terrorism. Due to terrorist attacks, millions of goods are destroyed, the lives of thousands of innocent people are lost, animals are also killed. Disbelief in humanity raises after seeing a terrorist activity, this gives birth to another terrorist. There exist different types of terrorism in different parts of the country and abroad.

Today, terrorism is not only the problem of India, but in our neighboring country also, and governments across the world are making a lot of effort to deal with it. Attack on world trade center on September 11, 2001, is considered the largest terrorist attack in the world. Osama bin Laden attacked the tallest building in the world’s most powerful country, causing millions of casualties and death of thousands of people.

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Terrorist Attacks in India

India has suffered several terrorist attacks which created fear among the public and caused huge destruction. Here are some of the major terrorist attacks that hit India in the last few years: 1991 – Punjab Killings, 1993 – Bombay Bomb Blasts, RSS Bombing in Chennai, 2000 – Church Bombing, Red Fort Terrorist Attack,2001- Indian Parliament Attack, 2002 – Mumbai Bus Bombing, Attack on Akshardham Temple, 2003 – Mumbai Bombing, 2004 – Dhemaji School Bombing in Assam,2005 – Delhi Bombings, Indian Institute of Science Shooting, 2006 – Varanasi Bombings, Mumbai Train Bombings, Malegaon Bombings, 2007 – Samjhauta Express Bombings, Mecca Masjid Bombing, Hyderabad Bombing, Ajmer Dargah Bombing, 2008 – Jaipur Bombings, Bangalore Serial Blasts, Ahmedabad Bombings, Delhi Bombings, Mumbai Attacks, 2010 – Pune Bombing, Varanasi Bombing.

The recent ones include 2011 – Mumbai Bombing, Delhi Bombing, 2012 – Pune Bombing, 2013 – Hyderabad Blasts, Srinagar Attack, Bodh Gaya Bombings, Patna Bombings, 2014 – Chhattisgarh Attack, Jharkhand Blast, Chennai Train Bombing, Assam Violence, Church Street Bomb Blast, Bangalore, 2015 –  Jammu Attack, Gurdaspur Attack, Pathankot Attack, 2016 – Uri Attack, Baramulla Attack, 2017 – Bhopal Ujjain Passenger Train Bombing, Amarnath Yatra Attack, 2018 Sukma Attack, 2019- Pulwama attack.

Agencies fighting Terrorism in India

Many police, intelligence and military organizations in India have formed special agencies to fight terrorism in the country. Major agencies which fight against terrorism in India are Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Terrorism has become a global threat which needs to be controlled from the initial level. Terrorism cannot be controlled by the law enforcing agencies alone. The people in the world will also have to unite in order to face this growing threat of terrorism.

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Essay on Terrorism and World peace

September 27, 2019 by Sandeep

800+ Words Essay on Terrorism and World peace

G.W. Bush was right when he said, “We do not create terrorism by fighting it, we invite terrorism by ignoring it.” It’s high time to pay attention on this menace and act for it’s permanent solution.

The scourge of terrorism has cast it’s malevolent influence across the world and is a major threat to all of us. It is a global menace and the world needs to come together to fight against it.

Be it terror group like AL-Qaeda, Boko Haram, Deccan Mujahedin or individuals inspired by their barbaric ideology, the terrorist threat has never been so high. The phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters and the massive use of the Internet and social media for recruiting, financing or calling for action has also added a new dimension to the threat.

Origin and People involved

Though the exact origin of terrorism is unknown due to multiple definitions it has been assigned till date, the first use in English of the term ‘terrorism’ occurred during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror, when the Jacobin, who ruled the revolutionary state, employed violence to win their cause.

Anarchism, often in league with rising nationalism and anti-monarchism, was the most prominent ideology linked with terrorism in the earlier days of it’s origin.

If we talk of the present times, there are multiple terror outfits like Al-Qaeda, Quetla Shura, Lashkar-e-Taiba operating at global level propagating their ghastly ideologies of terror and killings in the name of religion, cultural and economic differences. The question that needs to be addressed is who are the people involved?

There are leaders of terror groups who influence poor, disheartened and inhumane people among general public to join them by luring them and making promises to take care of their families after they, ‘the defenders of religion’ (as these terrorists are referred by them)die for their cause.

Present Scenario

The number of terror attacks is surging day by day. The severities of World Trade centre attack, 26/11 Mumbai attacks , and the recent Pulawama attack in India are unforgettable. These terrorist groups plan attacks targeting populated cities and crowded areas to cause large scale destruction.

Such groups don’t only include active terrorists who perform such heinous acts in action, but also have sleeper cells that are women and men placed in different cities who work for these terror outfits secretly to provide them with all the relevant information for planning attacks. Most surprising and depressing is the inclusion of young children in these acts of severe cruelty.

Severities involved

It is obvious that the problem such terror attacks result into are immense. The large scale loss of lives and infrastructure, the social problems that emerge and the undermining of national interests of developing countries dismantle the very base of peace and development.

Investors shun war zones, traders are wary of markets that might explode at any time , tourists do not travel to hotels that might be commandeered by crazed terrorists. These are all serious hazards for a country seeking to grow and flourish in a globalising world economy. In the Indian context, terrorist unions in Pakistan not only aim to kill and destroy, but also pull down India’s growth, tarnish it’s success story and darken it’s lustre in the world.

If we look at the legal and political aspect of this menace, we find that there has been tensions among nations regarding this for ages. Be it US and Iran or India and Pakistan, terrorism is the cause as well as effect that leaves no room for cooperation in fight against terrorism . Also, these terrorists don’t get caught easily.

Countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan have been a hub of terrorist outfits like ISIS and Al-Qaeda for a long time. The governments present there are either incapable or are not willing to catch and punish them which serves as another motivating factor for these cruel and uncivilised outfits of terror to flourish and spread their illogical ideas among the general public who get influenced and start volunteering them.

Indian Context

The main terrorism threat to India is posed by it’s neighbouring Islam extremist nations of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ever since Independence, Pakistan’s relations with India have been bedevilled by a dispute over the divided territory of Kashmir.

The resort by Pakistan to the sponsorship of militancy and terrorism within India as an instrument of state policy since the 1980’s has made relations nearly as bad as in the immediate aftermath of independence.

Both the militancy and the response to it by Indian security forces have caused a great loss of life, damaged property and has wrecked the Kashmiri economy which is largely dependent on tourism and sale of handicrafts. Both the countries have suffered gravely by the casualties of terror wars.

Another disturbing concern regarding 26/11 and Pulawama attacks is that they not only caused death and destruction but showed up the limitations of India’s security apparatus too. They dented the worldwide image of India as an emerging economic giant and instead presented it as an insecure and vulnerable ‘soft state’.

Countering Terrorism

There is a need of building international pressure on Pakistan which requires China and Saudi Arabia’s roles as allies of Pakistan. China’s importance to Pakistan is increasing with the gradual American disengagement , and the world knows that friendship with China shields Pakistan against the negative global fallout from its anti -India actions.

Though keeping in mind China’s strategic concerns in supporting Pakistan to balance relations with India makes it difficult to gain their support in rooting out terrorism bases in Pakistan, we can at least give it a try.

Also, there’s a need to close down the training camps, genuinely banning these organisations , cutting off their finances by closing their bank accounts, arresting known inciters of hatred and violence and declaring more filthy minds as of Jaish -e- Mohammad as International terrorists.

The terrorism ideology that blatantly ignores all the ethics and morals is completely a ruthless and inhumane notion that needs to be nipped in the bud.

Some organisations, therefore have come up with the ‘Deradicalization programme’ where a person showing signs/ behaviour of radicalism and is suspicious of joining a terror group in future is made to have deradicalization sessions with counsellors who try to convince them about the negative aspects of the devastating choice they might make and why they should avoid it.

Though it is being supported by governments of various nations, this solution is on the level of general public.Various national governments try to deal with the problem by having discussions with other nations on how to build peace and security together and collaborating with United Nations peacekeepers wing.

Military of nations like US and India also try frequently to pull out the roots of this trouble by attacking the training camps of these terrorists and focusing on strengthening of border security.

United Nations also plays important role. It is being increasingly called upon to coordinate the global fight against terrorism. Eighteen universal instruments against international terrorism have been elaborated within the framework of the United Nations system relating to specific terrorist activities.

In September 2006, UN Member States adopted the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This was the first time that Member States agreed to a common strategic and operational framework against terrorism.

I personally feel that there’s a need to bring these perpetrators to justice and to dismantle the infrastructure of terror. The disturbing fact about the terrorists involved is that they are so much brainwashed that they have no thoughtfulness or meaning left in their lives.

The reason behind the havoc they create is not any political objective, not asking for a change in government or not seeking anything other than to cause as much damage and death and destruction as possible. Those among them who pretend to be standing up for the cause of Islam end up killing Muslim Civilians too.

It is difficult to escape the conclusion that this kind of terrorism- terrorism as an end in itself, not as a means to something larger, can only be confronted implacably. It just has to be nipped in the bud, ideally before it starts, and if that is not possible, it should be dealt firmly if and when it actually comes.

It’s high time to act together and it’s quite visible that the global forces are coming together and boycotting those nations who let terror outfits build up and flourish. Nations are turning united against this threat, and are conjointly cutting funding for terrorism through decreasing various purchases of oil and other items from organizations aiding terrorist groups.

It’s an old adage that ‘Rome was not built in a day’ that means good things take time and so will take the establishment of world peace. What we need to focus upon is standing united against terrorism and wiping out hatred from this world.

There might be few terrorists who have lost their mind and feelings and lending a helping hand to whom won’t do any good but there might be few innocents among them who out of helplessness and poverty have become a follower of illogical terror ideas.

It’s those innocents for whom we need to show a light of help and love, whom we have to snatch out of this black hole of blind beliefs and injustice, for whom we have to make this idea of universal love, brotherhood and world peace meaningful so that the insane and inhumane ones are unable to find followers , fall down on their knees and give up.

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BIOTERRORISM

One of the most prominent conspiracies about coronavirus was that the virus might be a bioweapon. Although claims that coronavirus is a biological weapon are unfounded, bioterrorism may have the same impact on our lives and the economy in the future. The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed the weakness of many world powers in case rogue states and terrorist organizations employ biological weapons against them. And terrorists will not forget lessons learnt from Corona mishap.

The UN Secretary General said he sees an increasing risk of bioterrorism attacks aimed at creating a pandemic similar to that of coronavirus. Security experts from the Council of Europe have also warned that global coronavirus outbreaks may further increase the use of biological weapons by terrorists in the future.

In the context of India, with the existence of hostile neighbors such as Pakistan and China, the threat of biological warfare is becoming important and can not be completely ruled out.

Relevance of topic

Internal Security topic of General Studies Paper- III

What is Bioterrorism?

It is a deliberate use of disease-causing agents — such as viruses, bacteria, toxins, or other agents — as an act of terrorism that causes illness or death in humans, animals , or plants.

History of Bioterrorism

It is not a recent phenomenon. There is historical evidence that some form of bio-terrorism was resorted to by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Persians civilizations. Armies polluted the drinking water to cause serious harm to their enemies.  

During World War I, Germany is believed to have used biological agents  such as Bacillus anthracis and Burkholderia mallei mainly against the livestock and military personnel of their enemies. 

During the Cold War period,  it was alleged that chemical and biological weapons were widely used in the Vietnam War (1959-1975), the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s and the Gulf War of 1990-91. 

However, in present times, bioterrorism has emerged as a result of the advancements in biotechnology and biochemistry  being accessible to terrorist groups. Moreover, genetic engineering has perhaps the most dangerous potential.

Why are bioweapons considered as perfect weapons of terror?

These can be spread through air, water or food.

Skills and equipment for the development of a biological weapon are well known and lethal pathogens are readily accessible. 

Bioweapons can be highly difficult to detect and may not cause illness for several hours to several days. This means public health officials may not notice the attack until it is too late.   

Bioweapon Threats

Anthrax – In 2001, letters containing powdered anthrax were sent through the U.S. Postal Service. The attack caused 22 cases of illness and 5 of which resulted in death.

Smallpox – It is a seriously contagious fatal infection. There are chances that the smallpox virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism.

B otulinum toxin- It is the most lethal compound known. This nerve toxin is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Researchers estimate that as little as one gram of aerosolized toxin could kill more than 1.5 million people. It was known to have been used by Japan on Prisoners of War (POW) during occupation of Manchuria.

Francisella Tularensis- According to a former Soviet Union scientist, it was used by the Soviet Union Army against the Nazi Army in the Battle of Stalingrad of the Second World War.

Aflatoxin and sulfur mustard gas are other deadly agents that can be used as bioweapons.

Types of agents

There are basically three types of agents used on the basis of the ability and extent of the damage that can be caused. They are:

Category A includes high-priority agents posing national security threat. Example: Bubonic plague, Ebola virus, Tularemia, Anthrax.

Category B includes moderate-priority agents having low mortality rate. Example: Staphylococcal, Brucellosis, Q fever

Category C includes low-priority agents. These are emerging pathogens that might be engineered for mass dissemination. Example: Hantavirus, Nipah Virus, SARS, Yellow fever virus.

Vulnerabilities

It is easy for terrorists to bring pathogens into a country, as the virus sensors are largely ineffective.

The unleashing of a contagion is easy for a terrorist—germs can be mixed in powders and aerosol sprays or can be added to food or a city’s water supply. 

They can be released into the wind from a building, truck or plane. 

They can be sent on infected envelopes or notepaper  by mail.

Possible Consequences

It might prove to be extremely effective. Damage to people and economies could be “significantly higher” than the “traditional” terrorist attack.

If such weapons are used in densely populated areas, there is too high a risk of massive destruction in the form of life.

Damage would be rapid and potentially global in nature.

Is India ready for Biowarfare?

India had ratified the 1972 Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention of the United Nation.

India has a sophisticated, globally-recognized biotechnological infrastructure and a sufficient number of well-trained and knowledgeable scientists, most of whom are adequately experienced in the handling of epidemics.

India has the scientific capability to carry out a bio-offensive in the event of a first strike. Country has developed delivery systems ranging from crop dusters to ballistic missiles.

Since 1998, we have started training medical personnel to deal with possible bioterror attacks. Also, the Indian Army is trained for this kind of eventuality.

The Army maintains defense facilities for biological warfare at the protected sites.

The Indian military currently deployed countermeasures including  DRDO’s developed quarantine vehicles for battlefield decontamination efforts. 

However, there are few challenges. The main issues are

the country’s vast disorganised population

dismal health facilities 

poor connectivity

lack of coordinated efforts at the national and international level.

Way Forward

First step is to make it harder for terrorists to access the resources for designing bioweapons and development of advanced biosurveillance systems.

Rapid detection and surveillance are important for an effective response to a bioterror attack.

To combat these bio‐threats, conventional principles of outbreak investigation supported with efficient laboratory systems are required to fall in place.

Continued international cooperation in this field is key.

Vaccines for immunizing the public against bioterrorism-caused diseases; Diagnostic tests to help first responders and other medical staff detect exposure quickly and provide treatment; and therapies to assist the recovery of patients exposed to bioterrorism.

Strengthening the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of 1972 is a necessity of time to  deal with bioterrorism firmly.

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