Global Terrorism Index 2026: Key Findings

Decline in Global Terrorism

  • Global terrorism-related deaths fell by 28% in 2025
  • Terrorist incidents declined by 22%
  • Report published by Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Sydney

Emerging Trends in Global Terrorism

Geographical Concentration
  • Nearly 70% of global terrorism deaths occur in Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and DRC
  • Sahel region of Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for over half of global fatalities
  • Pakistan ranks as world's most terrorism-affected country
  • India placed 13th globally
Decentralized and Digital Terrorism
  • Rise of lone-wolf attacks and small autonomous cells
  • Online radicalization enabling recruitment without direct organizational contact
  • In the West, 93% of fatal attacks over five years carried out by lone actors
  • 60% of attacks occur within 100 km of international borders
Major Terror Groups Dominating Landscape
  • Islamic State (IS)
  • Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
  • Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
  • Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
  • Al-Shabaab

India's Counter-Terrorism Doctrine

Zero-Tolerance Policy

  • Rejects distinction between terrorists and their sponsors
  • No cause can justify terrorism
  • Emphasis on preventive intelligence and pre-emptive response

PRAHAAR Framework

Strategic blueprint shifting from reactive containment to intelligence-led, pre-emptive deterrence

  • Mandates zero-tolerance approach
  • Expressly decouples terrorism from any religion, ethnicity, or civilization

Four Pillars of India's Counter-Terror Policy

Pillar 1: Legislative Empowerment
  • UAPA Amendment Act, 2019: Designate individuals as terrorists; expanded NIA jurisdiction to cyberterrorism, human trafficking, counterfeit currency
  • NIA Amendment Act, 2019: Jurisdiction to investigate terror offences outside India
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: Defines terrorism; prescribes death/life imprisonment for terrorist acts causing death
  • Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019: Tighter penalties for illegal arms trafficking
Pillar 2: Institutional Strengthening
  • National Investigation Agency Act, 2008: India's premier counter-terrorism agency
  • NIA conviction rate: 92.70% (global best)
  • Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): Connects 28 agencies; Rs 500 crore upgrade; Cyber MAC (2025)
  • National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): Integrates immigration, banking, telecom, travel databases
  • CCTNS 2.0: AI-enabled platform connecting police stations
  • Police Modernisation: Rs 6,300+ crore allocated (2021-2026)
Pillar 3: Operations Against Cross-Border Terrorism
  • Surgical Strikes (2016): Precision strikes across LoC after Uri attack
  • Balakot Air Strike (2019): Pre-emptive strike on JeM training camp
  • Operation Sindoor (2025): Targets terrorist infrastructure after Pahalgam attack
Pillar 4: Multilateral Counter-Terror Architecture
  • FATF membership since 2010
  • No Money for Terror Conference: India hosted 3rd conference (2022)
  • Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism: Proposed by India at UN (1996)
  • UNSC designation of Masood Azhar as global terrorist (2019)
  • Tahawwur Rana extradition from US (2025)
  • Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism: With 27 countries and 5 multilateral forums
  • BHARATPOL (2025): Connects Indian agencies with INTERPOL
  • Delhi Declaration (2022): Guiding principles to counter misuse of drones, digital technologies

Outcomes of Counter-Terrorism Reforms (2014-2026)

  • Jammu & Kashmir: Terrorist incidents fell from 228 (2018) to just 12 (2025)
  • Reduced casualties: Sharp decline in civilian and security force deaths
  • Restoration of normalcy: Near-zero stone-pelting since 2022
  • Decline in hinterland terrorism: Few major urban attacks since 2013 Hyderabad blasts
  • Economic revival: Improved security boosted tourism and investment

Legal Framework for Terrorism in India

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Defines terrorist act as any act threatening:

  • India's sovereignty, unity, integrity, security, or economic stability
  • Through lethal violence, destruction of critical infrastructure, kidnapping, or circulation of counterfeit currency

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

  • Section 15: Defines 'terrorist act'
  • Section 2(1)(k): Provides definition of 'terrorism' and 'terrorist'
  • Any act of violence falling within Section 15 is legally treated as terrorism

Key Threats to India's Internal Security

  • Cross-border terrorism: Pakistan-sponsored proxy warfare (LeT, JeM)
  • Urban terrorism: Mass-casualty attacks, lone-wolf terrorism
  • Internal insurgencies: J&K, Northeast, Left-Wing Extremism
  • Cyber terrorism: Recruitment, propaganda, financing through digital platforms
  • Terror financing: Drug trafficking, counterfeit currency, hawala networks
  • Maritime threats: 7,500-km coastline vulnerability
  • Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle proximity intensifying threats