Terrorism - Internal Security

VISION IAS Foundation Batch

Jatin Gupta

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

1.​ Give out the major sources of terror funding in India and the efforts being made
to curtail these sources. In the light of this, also discuss the aim and objective of
the 'No Money for Terror (NMFT)' Conference recently held at New Delhi in
November 2022.
2.​ Analyse the complexity and intensity of terrorism, its causes, linkages and
obnoxious nexus. Also suggest measures required to be taken to eradicate the
menace of terrorism.
3.​ The banning of ‘Jammat-e-Islami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the
role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine
the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected
areas. Discuss measures to neutralize influence of OGWs.
4.​ The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions
do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of
terrorist funding?
5.​ "Terrorism is emerging as a competitive industry over the last few decades.”
Analyse the above statement.

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Definition of Terrorism
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Defining terrorism remains challenging due to differing interpretations globally. The

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United Nations has yet to finalize a universally accepted definition primarily due to
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conflicts regarding national liberation and self-determination.

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The FBI defines terrorism as unlawful force or violence intended to intimidate or coerce
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governments or populations for political or social objectives.

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The 8th report of the 2nd ARC describes terrorism as repeated violent actions, employed
by clandestine actors for political or criminal reasons, targeting randomly or selectively
to manipulate broader audiences through intimidation or propaganda.

Features of Terrorism

●​ Violent Acts: Deliberate violence to achieve ideological or political aims.

●​ Attention-seeking: Acts designed to gain maximum public and media attention.
●​ Symbolic Targets: Selection of targets symbolic of the opposed entities (e.g.,
government buildings).
●​ Psychological Impact: Instills fear beyond immediate victims (9/11 attacks).
●​ Unconstrained Actions: Disregard for international laws or norms (Mumbai 1993
 Terrorism - Internal Security
VISION IAS Foundation Batch
Jatin Gupta
blasts).
●​ Strategic Communication: Effective propaganda and online radicalization.
●​ Adaptability: Responsive and evolving strategies to counter-terrorism measures.

Causes of Terrorism

●​ Political Instability: e.g., Rise of ISIS during Syrian civil war.

●​ Religious Extremism: e.g., Taliban's enforcement in Afghanistan.
●​ Socio-Economic Disparities: Recruitment by Al-Shabaab in impoverished
Somalia.
●​ Foreign Interventions: Emergence of ISIS post-Iraq invasion.
●​ Ethnic/Sectarian Tensions: Rohingya crisis fueling ARSA's emergence.
●​ Strategic Motives: Hamas’s tactical use of violence against Israel.
●​ Technological Proliferation: Online radicalization and coordination.
●​ Weapons Availability: Illicit arms trade enabling terrorist activities.
●​ Global Coordination Gaps: Insufficient international collaboration.

Types of Terrorism

●​ Ethno-Nationalist: Tamil Tigers (LTTE), Northeast India insurgencies.

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●​ Religious: ISIS, Al-Qaeda.
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●​ Ideological: ai
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○​ Left-wing: Naxalites in India.

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○​ Right-wing: Neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan.

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●​ State-Sponsored: Pakistan’s backing of LeT.

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●​ Narco-terrorism: Drug-related violence in Colombia and Afghanistan.

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●​ Cyberterrorism: Attacks on infrastructure by cyber groups.

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●​ Environmental Terrorism: Attacks against environmental adversaries.

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Effects of Terrorism
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●​ Political Instability: Government destabilization, social unrest.

●​ Economic Disruption: Impact on growth, trade, tourism (Spain’s Basque region).
●​ Psychological Impact: Long-term trauma, PTSD.
●​ Human Rights Violations: Direct attacks on fundamental rights.
●​ Cultural Destruction: Taliban’s destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas.
●​ Erosion of Rule of Law: Increased organized crime, weakened governance.
●​ International Relations Strain: Diplomatic conflicts, stringent security measures.

India’s Institutional Setup

●​ Intelligence: IB, RAW, MAC.

●​ Operations: NSG, police, armed forces.
 Terrorism - Internal Security
VISION IAS Foundation Batch
Jatin Gupta
●​ Investigation: NIA under UAPA.
●​ Legal Framework: UAPA, NSA, PMLA.

Challenges in India’s Counter-terrorism Framework

●​ Poor agency coordination (Pathankot attack).

●​ Resource shortages (training, financial).
●​ Lack of autonomy/accountability.
●​ Weak border infrastructure.
●​ Collusion with criminal networks.

Global Cooperation Need

●​ Terrorism's transnational nature.

●​ Porous international borders.
●​ Resource-sharing for weaker nations.
●​ Monitoring and preventing state sponsorship.
●​ Addressing root socio-economic causes.

Stakeholder-wise Steps

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●​ Governments: Enhanced international intelligence sharing (Five Eyes).
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●​ CSOs: Victim assistance (Red Cross), social cohesion efforts.
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●​ International Community: UN conventions, sanctions, technical support.

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●​ Individuals/Communities: Community vigilance, resilience-building.

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Terror Financing
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●​ Sources: State sponsorship (Pakistan), charitable fronts (Jamaat-ud-Dawa),

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organized crime (Dawood Ibrahim), extortion, local contributions.

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●​ India’s Measures: FATF compliance, NIA investigations, AML measures, NATGRID

expansion.
●​ Challenges: Weak international coordination, inadequate banking compliance,
new non-cash payment methods (cryptocurrency).
●​ NMFT Conference: Strengthening international financial controls, disrupting illicit
financing, enhancing global cooperation.

Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)

●​ Objectives: Universal terrorism definition, outlaw terror groups, prosecute

terrorists, extradite for cross-border terrorism.
●​ Hurdles: Opposition from US (military exclusion), OIC (national liberation
movements), Latin America (state terrorism).
●​ India’s Diplomatic Efforts: Gaining support from major powers (China, Russia).
 Terrorism - Internal Security
VISION IAS Foundation Batch
Jatin Gupta

Lone Wolf Attacks

●​ Definition: Independent actors executing terror without direct command.

●​ Examples: Boston Marathon bombing, Sydney hostage crisis, vehicle attacks.
●​ Causes: Alienation, psychological disorders, lax gun control.
●​ Challenges: Detection difficulties, online radicalization, blurred distinctions with
organized groups.
●​ Counter Measures: Online monitoring, community integration, mental
healthcare access, enhanced police training.

India’s Approach to Lone Wolf Attacks

●​ Vulnerability Factors: Border volatility, youth radicalization via media, public

security gaps.
●​ Deterrent Factors: Restricted weapon access, psychological unwillingness, lack of
precedent attacks.
●​ Government Initiatives: Educational programs, Operation Chakravyuh, NATGRID,
WHAM strategy, private security deployments

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