Terrorism & Counter-Terrorism

📖 Types of terrorism affecting India

• Cross-border terrorism — often linked to Pakistan-based groups, primarily affecting Jammu & Kashmir.
• Left-Wing Extremism — covered separately, but sometimes described as a form of "ideological" or "revolutionary" terrorism.
• Urban and lone-wolf terrorism — attacks in major cities, sometimes carried out by radicalised individuals rather than organised cells.
• Narco-terrorism — the use of drug trafficking proceeds to fund terrorist activities, a growing concern along certain border regions.

⚖️ Legal counter-terrorism framework

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, amended significantly over the years, is India's principal anti-terrorism law, allowing for the designation of individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists. The earlier Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) were repealed due to concerns over misuse.

🕵️ Key agencies

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), established after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is India's central counter-terrorism investigation agency, empowered to investigate terrorism-related cases across state lines without needing individual state consent for specified offences.