Types and Means of Terrorism
There is no universally accepted definition of terrorism mainly because a ‘terrorist’ in one country may not be viewed as ‘terrorist’ by other countries. Further, terrorists are generally non-state actors; only a few states supporting or using ‘terrorism’ as part of their foreign policy to destabilise their rivals. In commonsense, terrorism is a tactic of fear-generating, coercive political violence performed for its propagandistic and psychological effects on various audiences and conflict parties.
The sources of terrorism can be an individual, small groups, transnational networks, state actors or states sponsored clandestine agents.
Broad types of Terrorism
The nature of terrorism varies depending on the objectives of individuals or groups associated with terrorism. The major types of terrorism are: {from 2nd ARC report documents}
Religious terrorism
The religious terrorists consider the act of violence as a divine duty. They are motivated completely or partially by religious imperatives.
Ideology based terrorism
There are two types of ideology based terrorism: Left-wing and Right-wing terrorism. The Left-wing terrorism is based on leftist ideology where the capitalist state structure is viewed as exploitative. Left-wing terrorism is used to create violence against elite classes by oppressed classes. Examples of Left-wing terrorists are Maoists in India and Nepal. Right-wing terrorist groups generally seek to maintain the status quo. Sometimes they try to conserve a past tradition. Violence used against the migrants comes under Right-wing terrorism. Many a times, the Right-wing terrorism might acquire racist/ethnic character. Examples of Right-wing terrorism are Nazism in Germany and Fascists in Italy etc.
Ethnic Terrorism
It is defined as violence by sub-national ethnic groups to promote their cause. Their main aim is to creation of a separate state or elevating their status compared with other ethnic groups. Examples are insurgent groups in North-East India.
Narco-Terrorism
It refers to the activities of the drug traffickers to influence the policies of the government by means of violence. This type of terrorism is associated with economic gains. Examples are FARC in Colombia.
Terrorism by External State Actors
When a terrorist activity operating in one country is supported by the other country/countries, it comes under ‘external state sponsored terrorism’. Presently, India’s internal security is challenged in a direct and indirect way by state-sponsored terrorism of Pakistan. While the terrorism in Kashmir is directly sponsored by Pakistan, the hinterland terrorism by Indian Mujahidin is indirectly sponsored by Pakistan. The external state governments support the terrorist groups financially, technically, and also provides arms, training, ideological base and other required infrastructural support. The external state governments use the terrorist activity as a proxy war on the other nation.
Terrorism by Non-state Actors
Generally, terrorism by non-state actors does not supported by and associated with any government. This type of terrorism is promoted by individuals and terrorist groups on their own. However, in many cases though they are operating on their own, we cannot rule out the support of external state actors.
Examples of terrorism by non-state actors are Naxalism in India, North-East India insurgent groups, LTTE etc. The terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Indian Mujahidin are claimed as non-state actors but indirectly they have support from Pakistan.
Means of Terrorism
Based on the means used by the terrorists, we can categorise them as eco-terrorism, bio-terrorism, suicide terrorism, cyber-terrorism etc. The other means used in terrorism are Chemical weapons, weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons etc.
Role of ICT in Spread of Terrorism
In recent times, there are several factors that have helped the terrorism to spread. Firstly, the developments in the communication technology, especially social media in the recent past, are helping the terrorists to promote their ideology very quickly. Availability of information technology and social media to spread propaganda and as sophisticated means of communication. Secondly, intolerance spreads more quickly due to use of social media to spread propaganda. Thirdly, international recognition and support to terrorist groups has become easy and quick due to availability of internet and social media. Fourthly, the links between terrorism and organised crime to earn easy money have spread tentacles everywhere.
Funding to terrorist organisations
The terrorist organisations use different sources for fund raising which include state sponsorship, donations from Islamist organisations in the name of Jehad, extortion, organised crime and smuggling, fake currency etc. The terrorist financial networks also operate through trusts, fake bank accounts etc. The transfer of money is largely routed through hawala transactions. The porous borders of India with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar are used for the procurement of arms and other technological equipment.
