Terrorism and India's Security Landscape

The recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir, serves as a somber reminder of terrorism's persistent threat to India's security and social fabric. Despite significant progress in counter-terrorism measures since 2019, including infrastructure development and regional integration efforts in Kashmir, such attacks demonstrate the evolving nature of terrorist tactics and the need for continued vigilance. Moving forward, India needs to strengthen its counter-terrorism security initiatives through enhanced intelligence coordination, technological capabilities, and international partnerships.  

How does Terrorism Continue to Challenge India’s Internal Security and Geopolitical Interests? 

• Cross-Border Terrorism (Pakistan-Sponsored): India faces the constant threat of cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, with militants infiltrating through Kashmir and other border areas.  These groups are often backed by Pakistan’s intelligence agencies.  
  • The 2019 Pulwama attack and the recent Pahalgam massacre, which targeted tourists based on their religion, illustrate the persistence and brutality of these attacks.  

 

• Radicalization of Local Populations: The radicalization of local populations, particularly in conflict zones like Kashmir, remains a significant concern.  
  • Youth in these regions, disillusioned with the state or manipulated by extremist ideologies, are increasingly joining terrorist groups.  
  • The rise of online radicalization and social media platforms like Telegram as tools for spreading extremist propaganda further exacerbates this issue, making it harder to contain terrorism from within. 
• Cyber Terrorism: Cyber terrorism has emerged as a modern form of threat, where terrorist groups utilize the internet for recruitment, propaganda, and even launching attacks on critical infrastructure.  
  • Cyber-attacks targeting government websites, financial institutions, and power grids are on the rise.  
  • India emerged as the second most targeted nation in terms of cyber attacks in the world as 95 Indian entities came under data theft attacks in 2024. 
• Left-Wing Extremism (Naxalism): Left-wing extremism, continues to be a significant internal terrorism issue in central and eastern India. These groups, primarily operating in tribal areas, employ guerilla tactics to challenge the state and propagate their revolutionary ideologies.  
  • For instance, in 2019, several commandos lost their lives in Maharashtra due to a bomb blast attributed to Maoist insurgents. 
  • Despite a decline in attacks, these groups continue to disrupt governance and development in affected regions. 
• Insurgency in Northeastern States: The insurgency in India’s northeastern states, particularly in Manipur and Nagaland, has seen increasing links with larger terror networks.  
  • For instance, the Kuki-Meitei conflict in Manipur, particularly intensified in 2023 and 2024, has escalated into significant violence, with deep ethnic and political undertone 
    • The insurgents’ ability to exploit the porous border with Myanmar and access arms from external sources like China complicates efforts to address the issue 
  • The weak governance in remote areas allows these groups to thrive, complicating counter-terrorism efforts. 
• Persistence of Organized Crime Networks: Organized crime has become intertwined with terrorism in India, especially in urban centers.  
  • Criminal syndicates, involved in activities such as smuggling, extortion, and drug trafficking, often collaborate with terrorist organizations to fund their operations.  
    • For instance, in January 2025, the Punjab Police announced the dismantling of a cross-border drug and weapon smuggling cartel. 
  • The nexus between crime and terrorism has been responsible for several high-profile bombings and terror attacks in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, complicating efforts to curb terrorism. 

What is the Current Security Architecture in Place to Combat Terrorism in India? 

• National-Level Counter-Terrorism Agencies 
  • National Investigation Agency (NIA): Primary agency for investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related cases, particularly those involving cross-border terrorism and organized terror networks 
    • Handles high-profile terror cases, conducts operations, and ensures national security by coordinating with other agencies. 
  • Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW): India’s external intelligence agency responsible for countering cross-border terrorism, particularly from Pakistan-based groups. 
• Legislative Framework 
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967: Provides the legal foundation for prosecuting terrorism-related offenses and allows for the designation of terrorist organizations. 
    • Empowers law enforcement agencies to conduct surveillance, freeze assets, and detain suspects without charge for extended periods. 
  • National Security Act (NSA), 1980: A preventive detention law that allows authorities to detain individuals involved in terrorism-related activities for a specified period without formal charges. 
    • Used to curb terror-related activities by detaining suspected terrorists and preventing their release on bail. 
• Security Forces and Specialized Units 
  • Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs): Agencies like the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB are crucial for counter-terrorism operations, especially in border and conflict regions. 
    • Deploy in sensitive areas to prevent infiltration, maintain public order, and support anti-terrorism operations. 
  • National Security Guard (NSG): An elite special forces unit specializing in counter-terrorism operations, especially for high-risk situations like hostage rescues. 
    • Handles situations involving large-scale terrorist attacks, such as Mumbai-style attacks or terrorist sieges. 
• Technological and Intelligence Infrastructure 
  • National Intelligence Grid (NatGrid): Integrated intelligence framework that combines data from multiple agencies to provide real-time threat analysis. 
    • Monitors terrorist activities across various sectors (banking, immigration, phone records) to detect patterns. 

What Measures can India Adopt to enhance its Counter-terrorism Efforts? 

• Strengthening Intelligence Sharing and Integration: India must further enhance the integration of intelligence across different agencies like the NIA, IB, RAW, and state police forces to create a seamless flow of actionable information.  
  • There is a need for swift identification of terror cells and their activities, and help in early intervention, reducing response times during critical situations.  
  • Promoting collaboration with international intelligence agencies will further improve the accuracy and timeliness of counter-terrorism operations. 
• Implementation of Advanced Surveillance and AI-Driven Monitoring Systems: Adopting AI-driven technologies for surveillance can significantly improve India’s counter-terrorism efforts.  
  • Deploying advanced facial recognition systems, predictive analytics, and data mining tools can assist in identifying potential terrorist threats and networks before they can strike.  
  • These technologies can help detect unusual patterns in financial transactions, communications, and social media activity that often precede terrorist activities.  
• Enhanced Border Security through Smart Fencing and Drones: To curb cross-border infiltration by terror groups, India should invest in "smart fencing" along sensitive borders, incorporating sensors, surveillance cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to create a comprehensive and responsive monitoring system.  
  • The use of drones to patrol borders and track movement in real-time will make it harder for infiltrators to cross undetected.  
  • This initiative, when coupled with better communication and coordination between the BSF and other local security forces, will significantly reduce cross-border terrorism and smuggling. 
• Community Engagement and Counter-Radicalization Programs: India must focus on robust counter-radicalization strategies at the grassroots level. By engaging local communities, particularly in conflict zones like Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, authorities can build trust and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.  
  • Implementing educational programs, vocational training, and social integration initiatives for vulnerable youth will help divert potential recruits away from terrorist groups.  
• Revising and Strengthening Terrorism-Related Legislation: India should consider revising its counter-terrorism laws to make them more effective in the face of emerging threats like cyber terrorism and hybrid warfare.  
  • Strengthening provisions under the UAPA and NSA to address newer forms of terrorism, such as lone wolf attacks and radicalized individuals operating independently, will help the government respond more proactively.  
• Comprehensive Counter-Terrorism Cybersecurity Infrastructure: As cyber warfare becomes a crucial aspect of modern terrorism, India must establish a specialized cybersecurity division focused on countering terror-related cyber threats.  
  • This division should work closely with the NIA and other law enforcement agencies to detect and prevent cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure, financial institutions, and communication systems.  
  • Building resilience through public-private partnerships will enable better defense against digital terrorism, and a nationwide effort to protect critical data infrastructure will reduce vulnerabilities. 
• Public Awareness and Intelligence-Driven Citizen Participation: Encouraging public participation in counter-terrorism efforts in prone areas through awareness campaigns and community vigilance programs can act as a force multiplier. 
  • Citizens must be educated on identifying suspicious activities and reporting them without fear of reprisal. This can be done through regular workshops, media campaigns, and outreach programs aimed at creating a vigilant society. 
  • In this regard, reviving and strengthening Village Defence Guards (initiated in the mid-1990s in Jammu and Kashmir) can further bolster grassroots security efforts. 
• Use of Economic and Diplomatic Leverage to Combat Terrorism: India should expand the use of economic and diplomatic leverage as part of its broader counter-terrorism strategy, targeting nations that harbor or sponsor terrorist groups.  
  • A recent example of this is India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan in April 2025, which was seen as a direct response to Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.  
  • It is essential, however, that India articulates such measures as targeted and proportionate responses to the policies and actions of the Pakistani state apparatus, especially its military-intelligence establishment.  
    • This ensures the distinction between the government and the people of Pakistan is maintained, reinforcing India’s commitment to principled statecraft and responsible diplomacy.  

Conclusion: 

The persistence of terrorism, as highlighted by the Pahalgam attack, underscores the evolving and multifaceted nature of threats to India’s internal security. India must continue enhancing intelligence cooperation, technological vigilance, and community engagement. As reaffirmed in the Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes, a zero-tolerance approach and international collaboration are imperative to dismantle terror networks and uphold peace. 

Drishti Mains Question: “Terrorism remains one of the gravest threats to India’s internal security, evolving in form and tactics despite countermeasures.” Discuss the key challenges India faces in countering terrorism today