Navigating the Rising Tide of Terrorism in India

By: Vaishali S.

Five army personnel were killed in Doda, while another five lost their lives in a terror attack in Kathua. Additionally, two soldiers died in Kulgam. These incidents, one after the other, took place in the same month and in the same region. This situation is a huge security challenge which needs immediate action and attention.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2024 (GTI), India experienced a decline in deaths from terrorism. There was a marginal decrease in deaths due to terrorist incidents in India. This progress resulted in India being ranked 14th on the GTI for this year, an improvement of one position from the previous year. This improved ranking reflects a score decrease, placing India within the category of medium impact of terrorism. However, if we see India's position in South Asia specifically, it has been ranked third. The top two positions are occupied by Pakistan and Afghanistan.  

This improvement in ranking does not fully capture the extent of the devastation that terrorism has inflicted on India. Terror based incidents have time and again posed one of the biggest security challenges for India. The number of cases that come up each year has been fluctuating and continues to pose a threat.

The past few months have been particularly challenging for those defending our borders, marked by a series of terrorist attacks that have resulted in the loss of lives of both soldiers and civilians. The Jammu and Kashmir region has seen an increase in terror attacks since the start of 2024. In Kathua district, five army personnel were killed and five others injured when terrorists ambushed an army truck. Recently, four Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Doda, amid the ongoing rise in terrorist activities in the area. Over the past 32 months, 48 soldiers have died due to terrorist attacks. Pakistan-sponsored terror groups have escalated their activities in the region by exploiting Jammu & Kashmir’s extensive and challenging terrain. Pakistan has long been infamous for enabling and dispatching armed militants across the International Border (IB) and the Line of Control (LoC).

Some reports indicate that following the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which included a crackdown on terror groups and separatists in the Kashmir Valley, terrorist activities have increasingly shifted to the Jammu region. Notably, since 2021, there has been a discernible movement of terror bases towards Jammu, an area that was previously relatively free of such incidents.  

The increasing number of security forces being killed in terror-related incidents along with the civilians in India highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to counter this threat. Strengthening intelligence networks by refurbishing them and integrating the Special Operations Group (SOG) with Rashtriya Rifles (RR) is crucial to leveraging their combined strengths. Enhancing military operations through the review of unit drills, sub-tactical maneuvers, and large-scale operations. Equally important is fostering strong community relations to gain local support for counter-terrorism efforts. Additionally, deploying adequate troops efficiently to reinforce the security grid and prevent infiltration is vital. By addressing these challenges holistically, India can better protect its security forces and citizens from the persistent threat of terrorism.