India’s Counter-Terrorism Policy against Jihadist Terror: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

The nature of the jihadist terrorism in India is changing as radicalization and recruitment become more sophisticated. There are fears that India may become a soft target in the global jihadist plan of al-Qaeda and the ISIS, which are not only instigating violence through sleeper cells, but are also attracting educated Muslim youths through the Internet to spread their terror agenda while exploiting local grievances. To fight the rapidly changing threat of jihadist terrorism, India needs a comprehensive and innovative approach, rooted in a long-term strategic planning framework and coordinating intelligence, physical security, investigation and crisis management capabilities.