Mains Practice Questions

Introduction:

Terrorism in India — historically dominated by cross-border insurgency and proxy warfare — is witnessing a transformation. Recent events show a shift toward urban symbolic attacks, cyber-terrorism and white-collar / financial-networks-based terrorism. This evolving threat landscape demands a multidimensional counterterrorism strategy that goes beyond conventional kinetic and border-security responses.

Body :

Traditional and Emerging Trends of Terrorism

• Cross-border Terrorism and Insurgency: India’s long-standing challenge with cross-border terrorism, especially emanating from Pakistan, remains significant.
  • Groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continue to orchestrate attacks in Jammu & Kashmir and beyond.
  • Recent incidents, including the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, underscore the persistent infiltration threat despite enhanced border security.
• Urban Terrorism and Symbolic Attacks: The 2025 Red Fort car blast reflects a rising trend of urban terrorism targeting symbolic national sites to create psychological impact.
  • Emerging forms like white-collar terrorism, involving educated professionals such as Umar Nabi, linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits, highlight how technical expertise, financial access, and digital networks are exploited.
• Domestic Radicalization and Ideological Polarization: The rise of homegrown terrorists, cultivated through local grievances and online propaganda, presents a less visible but equally perilous risk.
  • Recent assessments have indicated a notable rise in arrests linked to domestic radicalization across several Indian states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, reflecting the growing threat of homegrown extremism.
• Maritime Security Threats: India’s 7,500 km coastline and strategic ports face rising maritime terrorism threats. Non-state actors exploit vulnerabilities for smuggling arms, explosives, and operatives.
  • Indian Navy intelligence (2024) revealed attempts by terrorist operatives to gain maritime access via illicit shipments in the Arabian Sea.
• Cyberterrorism and Emerging Technologies: Terrorist groups increasingly use cyber tools—including encrypted communication, data theft, and social media propaganda—raising the threat of cyberterrorism.
  • The National Cyber Security Coordinator’s 2025 report noted terror groups deploying ransomware and phishing campaigns to disrupt infrastructure and recruit online.
• Hybrid Warfare and Proxy Conflicts: India faces hybrid warfare, where state and non-state actors employ covert, proxy, and cyber tactics to destabilize.
  • The China-Pakistan nexus in fostering insurgencies exemplifies this new-age hybrid threat.
  • Indian Army operations in border regions underscore the need for adaptability, intelligence modernization, and strategic preparedness.

Measures Required to Ensure a Multidimensional Counterterrorism Policy in India

• Enhance Inter-Agency Coordination and Intelligence Sharing: India must institutionalize a robust, centralized intelligence-sharing ecosystem through expanded fusion centers and real-time data integration.
  • The Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) has become a key pillar of India’s counterterrorism architecture, facilitating real-time intelligence exchange and coordinated multi-agency operations.
  • Building on this foundation, the creation of National Fusion Centers and the strengthening of State-level counterparts will help minimize bureaucratic delays and enable swift, unified responses.
• Leverage Advanced Technology and Cybersecurity: To keep pace with evolving terror tactics, India must expand the use of AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics for surveillance and threat assessment.
  • The 2025 India-EU counter-drone training led by the National Security Guard (NSG) exemplifies successful adoption of cutting-edge technology.
  • CERT-In’s proactive cyber defense should be enhanced to protect critical infrastructure from cyberterrorism, while countering online radicalization and recruitment.
• Strengthen Legal Framework and Fast-Track Judicial Processes: Modifying laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is vital to address emerging threats and the complexities of modern terrorism, while ensuring safeguards against misuse.
  • Establishing special anti-terrorism courts will expedite trials, improving conviction rates and deterrence, as seen after the Pulwama and Pathankot attacks, where swift trials proved crucial.
• Upgrade Border and Maritime Security: India’s security architecture must include multi-layered infrastructure—such as smart fencing, thermal imaging, and coastal radar systems—supported by enhanced naval and paramilitary patrols.
  • Regional cooperation through BIMSTEC and the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is essential for maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling, and trade route protection.
• Deepen International and Regional Security Cooperation: Active participation in SCO, G20, and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Forum facilitates intelligence sharing, joint operations, and policy harmonization.
  • Bilateral initiatives like the India-Egypt Joint Working Group demonstrate the value of strategic partnerships in tackling transnational terror networks and terror financing.
• Promote Community Engagement and Counter-Radicalization: Drawing from Singapore and Norway’s models, India should expand community-centered programs to address socio-economic grievances and ideological vulnerabilities.
  • Educational outreach, vocational training, and rehabilitation initiatives for at-risk populations will strengthen societal resilience and curb extremist recruitment.

Conclusion:

As scholar Bruce Hoffman notes, "Terrorism is the deliberate creation and exploitation of fear through violence or the threat of violence in the pursuit of political change." To effectively counter such threats, India must strengthen inter-agency coordination, enhance technological capabilities, and fast-track judicial processes while fostering community resilience through inclusive counter-radicalization programs.