Pahalgam Terror Attack: Challenges and the Road Ahead

Syllabus: GS3/Security

Context

• The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam poses challenges to India on multiple fronts by threatening the economic revival and normalisation efforts, and underscores long-standing lapses in intelligence and security measures.

About Terrorism

• It is broadly defined as the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, to achieve political, ideological, or religious objectives.
  • It is a global challenge that undermines peace, security, and human rights.
• According to the United Nations, there is no universally agreed definition of terrorism, but it is generally understood as acts intended to cause death or serious harm to civilians or non-combatants with the purpose of intimidating a population or compelling a government or international organization to act or refrain from acting.
• In the context of India, terrorism often includes cross-border activities, insurgencies, and radicalized attacks.
  • The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, defines a terrorist act as one that threatens the unity, integrity, security, or sovereignty of India or causes terror among people by using violence or disrupting essential services.

Types of Terrorism in India

• Cross-Border Terrorism: Groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continue to operate from Pakistan, targeting civilians and security forces in J&K.
  • It includes Mumbai Attacks (2008), Pathankot Airbase attack (2016), and Pulwama bombing (2019).
• Insurgency in the Northeast and Left-Wing Extremism: States like Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland face insurgency due to ethnic grievances and separatist demands.
  • The Maoist (Naxalite) threat in the ‘Red Corridor’ across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha remains a long-standing internal security issue.
• Cyber Terrorism and Financing: Terrorists increasingly exploit digital platforms for propaganda, recruitment, and fundraising using cryptocurrency and the darknet.
• Urban Radicalization & Lone-Wolf Attacks : The rise of lone-wolf attacks and online radicalization has added new dimensions to India’s security challenges.
  • Groups like The Resistance Front (TRF) use hybrid terrorism tactics, employing radicalized locals for targeted attacks.

Challenges in Counterterrorism Efforts

• Intelligence & Security Gaps: Despite advancements in surveillance, lapses in intelligence-sharing have led to major attacks, including the Pahalgam incident.
  • Strengthening human intelligence networks and cyber surveillance is crucial.
• Security and Intelligence Challenge: The attack also highlights long-standing inadequacies in intelligence and security mechanisms in J&K, despite recurring militant strikes in the past year.
• Geographical Expansion: Militant activities, once confined to the Kashmir Valley, have expanded to Jammu, with over 30 attacks between 2021 and 2024, many of which caused civilian casualties.
• Homegrown Extremism: Radicalization through social media and religious propaganda continues to fuel domestic terrorism.
  • Groups like the Indian Mujahideen (IM) and certain ISIS-inspired modules have emerged in recent years.
• Geopolitical Tensions: India’s strategic proximity to the United States has led to increased hostility from adversaries.
  • The extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has further strained relations with Pakistan.
• Public Sentiment & Communal Harmony: Terrorist attacks often fuel communal tensions, making it imperative for the government to prevent misinformation and social unrest.

Counter-Terrorism Efforts

• Legal Framework:
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) empowers agencies to label individuals as terrorists.
  • National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act created a central counter-terror agency with pan-India jurisdiction.
• Institutional Mechanisms:
  • NIA, Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) are pivotal in intelligence collection and enforcement.
  • Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) ensures inter-agency coordination.
• Technological Integration:
  • Deployment of facial recognition, drone surveillance, and AI-enabled threat analytics enhances border and urban surveillance.
• International Cooperation:
  • India collaborates with the U.S., Israel, and other nations on intelligence sharing and counter-radicalization efforts. It is also part of global anti-terror frameworks such as:
    • Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
    • United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee
• De-Radicalization Initiatives: State police and intelligence wings, particularly in Kerala and Maharashtra, run community outreach and deradicalization programs targeting vulnerable youth.

Recent Government Initiatives

• NATGRID: A centralized database for real-time intelligence sharing.
• Safe City Projects: Urban surveillance under Smart Cities Mission.
• Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)

Way Forward: Strengthening India’s Counterterrorism Strategy  

• Enhanced Security Infrastructure: Deploying advanced surveillance technologies, including AI-driven threat detection.
  • Expanding special forces operations in high-risk areas.
• International Cooperation: Strengthening counterterrorism partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the US, and European nations.
  • Joint intelligence-sharing initiatives to track global terror networks.
• Restoring Normalcy: Immediate steps should focus on boosting security, encouraging tourism, and addressing public concerns.
  • Confidence-building measures can help counter the fear instilled by the attack.
• Community Engagement & De-Radicalization: Implementing rehabilitation programs for radicalized individuals.
  • Encouraging interfaith dialogues to counter extremist narratives.

Conclusion

• The Pahalgam attack represents not just an assault on innocent lives but on the very fabric of J&K’s resurgence. 
• While the government must address the immediate security lapse, it must also take long-term measures to strengthen peace, stability, and economic growth in the region. 
• A calculated and decisive response is essential to restore confidence and ensure that terrorism does not derail the progress made in J&K.

Source: BS