Terrorism – Research Ideas

Terrorism

Author: Riya Prashant Govekar

Literature review

Terrorism is the calculated use of violence or the threat of violence to incite fear, typically targeting civilians or non-combatants to coerce a government, population, or organization into achieving political, ideological, or religious objectives. It is characterized by unlawful acts, including murder, kidnapping, or property destruction, designed to create widespread panic and advance specific agendas.

India’s Terrorism Dilemma

India has struggled to deal with terrorism effectively. After several big bombings and attacks in different Indian cities, critics said the government didn’t have a strong national strategy to prevent future terror incidents and relied too much on reacting after attacks happen. It pointed out that terrorists inside India are diverse some influenced by groups from across the border, others driven by local grievances and that makes fighting terrorism complicated. The piece also discussed how intelligence and police forces didn’t always share information well and how there were debates over laws and how to balance security with civil rights. Overall, the dilemma was that while terrorism was a big threat India lacked a clear & coordinated plan to stop it before it happened.

India Offers to help Mozambique Fight Growing Terrorism Threat

India said it wants to help Mozambique deal with a rising problem of terrorism and radical groups in that country. Mozambique, in East Africa, has been facing violent attacks by Islamist militants in its northern province for several years. The attackers have caused deaths, displacement, and instability, and Mozambique has asked for cooperation from friendly countries to improve security. During a visit by India’s Defence Minister, New Delhi promised to work with Mozambique on defence and security issues, share expertise, and strengthen cooperation to fight terrorism and stop radicalisation and it reflects growing ties between the two countries and India’s interest in promoting peace and stability in the region.

Operation Sindoor is not just a name but reflects the feelings of millions

Operation Sindoor refers to India’s firm and new policy against terrorism announced after a deadly terror attack at Pahalgam in April 2025, where many civilians were killed. In response, the Indian government launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025 as a strong military counter-terror action, with precision strikes on terrorist bases and infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian leadership said the name symbolizes the country’s emotional pain and resolve—similar to the meaning of sindoor in Indian tradition—and shows that India will treat terrorism as an act of war and will respond decisively. The policy emphasizes zero tolerance for terrorism, precise action to destroy terror networks, protecting Indian citizens, and ensuring justice for victims. Indian leaders have described it as part of a new normal in security policy where acts of terror will be met with a powerful and coordinated response from the armed forces.

Terrorism in Jammu Kashmir in Theory Practice

In the article “Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in Theory and Practice”, the terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is not just sudden violence but the result of long historical and political developments. The conflict began after the partition of India in 1947 and gradually turned into an organized armed movement. Local dissatisfaction and external support, especially from across the border, played important roles in increasing violence, particularly from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Militant groups changed over time, with some driven by local political goals and others influenced by religious extremism. Terrorism in Kashmir, we must look at both theory and practice (actual attacks, methods, and impact on society). Overall, terrorism in the region is part of a long and complex conflict shaped by history, politics, and regional tensions.

Pakistan Says It Shot Down an Indian Spy Drone in Kashmir

Pakistan’s military said it shot down an Indian spy drone in the Kashmir region, which is a disputed area between the two countries. According to Pakistan, the drone crossed the Line of Control (LoC), which is the border that divides Indian-controlled and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. Pakistan claimed the drone was being used for spying and gathering information. The army said it took quick action and destroyed the drone to protect its airspace. On the other hand, there was no immediate detailed response from India about the incident. It happened during a time when relations between India and Pakistan were already tense due to recent violence and political disagreements in Kashmir. Incidents like this increase distrust and can make the situation more serious, as both countries have a long history of conflict over Kashmir. How fragile the peace is in the region and how even small military actions can raise fears of escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new approach on terrorism after the Delhi blast

After a deadly car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi that killed and injured many people, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn a new hard line on terrorism. Earlier, after fighting with Pakistan in May, he said any future terrorist attack would be treated like an “act of war,” meaning India could respond strongly and even militarily. It has raised the stakes for how the government reacts to attacks and how quickly it might blame or take action against groups or states it thinks are responsible. The Delhi blast, being one of the most serious in years has tested this stance and put pressure on the government to balance strong security measures with careful decisions about retaliation or blame.

India’s Probe of Terrorist Incident Focuses on Local Group

The government of India has said that a powerful explosion in a car near the historic Red Fort in New Delhi was a terrorist attack, not an accident. Investigators are now concentrating on a small local group that might have planned the bombing in a suburb of the city. According to officials with knowledge of the inquiry, the plot seems to have been organised locally and may have involved several people, including medical professionals, although details are still under investigation. The blast killed at least eight people and injured more, and authorities are working to understand who was behind it and why.

Kargil Terrorism and India’s Strategic Shift

In “Kargil, Terrorism, and India’s Strategic Shift” article explains India’s strategic thinking changed after the 1999 Kargil conflict with Pakistan and continuing terrorism linked to Pakistan. The Kargil incursion showed India that it could no longer rely only on traditional restraint and defence; the threat of Pakistan-supported fighters and the growing cycle of terror attacks pushed Indian leaders to rethink how to protect the country effectively. Over time, India began shifting from a mostly cautious, diplomatic approach to one that included stronger military responses and a clearer strategy for dealing with cross-border terrorism. This shift in strategy also reflects how India balances military strength with political concerns in a region where both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, making direct conflict especially dangerous.

India China Rivalry

China and Pakistan have a kind of “quasi-alliance” — a close partnership that isn’t a formal treaty because they see India as a common competitor in Asia. To keep India busy and prevent it from becoming stronger, China supports Pakistan’s use of terrorist groups as a form of asymmetric balancing — meaning using cheaper, indirect tools like proxy groups instead of conventional military force. By doing this, China diverts India’s attention and resources toward Pakistan, slowing India’s rise and limiting its ability to challenge China’s influence in the region.

Mumbai’s property problems mount after terror attacks

After the terror attacks in Mumbai in late November 2008, the already weak property market in the city got worse. Buyers and investors became more worried about safety and risk, so fewer people were willing to buy or invest in buildings and real estate. It made demand fall even more, and property companies that were already short of money faced bigger problems. Because the attacks damaged famous hotels and business areas, and brought uncertainty, both Indian and foreign investors thought more carefully before putting money into Mumbai’s property sector, which added to the city’s property crisis and higher risk costs.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, terrorism has remained one of India’s most serious and complex challenges. From the long conflict in Jammu and Kashmir to major attacks in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, terrorism has affected national security, public safety, and economic growth. In the past, India was often criticized for reacting only after attacks and for lacking strong coordination between intelligence and police agencies. The Kargil conflict in 1999 became a turning point, pushing India to rethink its defence and counter-terrorism strategy.

Over time, India shifted from a mostly cautious and defensive approach to a more assertive policy. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has adopted a “zero tolerance” stance, treating major terrorist attacks as acts of war. Actions such as Operation Sindoor reflects new policy of strong and precise responses, even across borders if necessary. At the same time, tensions with Pakistan, incidents along the Line of Control, and the wider rivalry with China make the security environment more complicated.

Terrorism has also had economic and social impacts, as seen after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which damaged investor confidence and the property market. Beyond its own borders, India has tried to strengthen international cooperation, such as offering help to Mozambique to fight terrorism, showing that it sees counter-terrorism as a global issue.

Overall, India’s terrorism dilemma is not only about stopping attacks but also about balancing strong security measures with diplomacy, economic stability, and regional peace. While India’s strategy has become firmer and more coordinated over time, managing internal threats and external pressures remains an ongoing challenge.

Reference:

India Offers to Help Mozambique Fight Growing Terrorism Threat, By Hill, Matthew.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=10e2257e-12cb-3743-a6b3-507b9cb71086

India: Mumbai’s property problems mount after terror attacks, By David, Ruth.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=10e2257e-12cb-3743-a6b3-507b9cb71086

India–China rivalry, China–Pakistan quasi-alliance, terrorism, and asymmetric balancing. By Verma, Raj.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=5ca14d00-ace9-3376-9e87-b678c92dda79

INDIA’S NEW POLICY AGAINST TERRORISM: Operation Sindoor is not just a name but it’s a reflection of the feelings of millions of people of the country. Operation Sindoor is our unwavering commitment to justice.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=712aac95-b761-38f3-935e-c96bc7b4de11

India’s Probe of ‘Terrorist Incident’ Focuses on Local Group, By Gupta, Swati; Sen, Sudhi Ranjan.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=995e8c3b-612a-3a64-a3f6-54e262ea12f1

India’s Terrorism Dilemma, By Lakshman, Nandini; Srivastava, Mehul.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b1fffbd3-05e6-30c3-adf4-87f6586b3209

Kargil, Terrorism, and India’s Strategic Shift, By Basrur, Rajesh

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=b71ff86b-d2c1-3c61-a687-542edc653335

Modi’s New Red Line on Terrorism Raises Stakes After Delhi Blast, By Stumpf, Dan; Sen, Sudhi Ranjan.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=beff88ee-4055-3f24-b2a3-6cb94878620b

Pakistan Says It Shot Down an Indian Spy Drone in Kashmir, By Haider, Kamran; Sen, Sudhi Ranjan.

https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=efa5959c-fc27-3d71-9dba-57eeb0b1b519

Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir in Theory and Practice, By Swami, Praveen.