Counter Terrorism

About Centre

As the origins, scope and impact of terrorism and violent extremism extend beyond conventional security and military paradigms — covering religious, political, socio-economic, demographic and at times historical vectors— the onus for developing effective and comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-radicalization campaigns falls within the purview of eminent research institutes like the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).

It is for this reason that the MP-IDSA has established the Counter Terrorism Centre, which will look into various aspects of terrorism as well as ways of developing effective counter-terrorism strategies and campaigns. In addition to studying the complexities involved in the process of terrorism, the centre would seek to develop counter radicalisation and counter terror financing strategies and programmes.

The Purpose

The purpose of MP-IDSA’s Counter Terrorism Centre is four-fold:

Collect, collate and build database of terrorism-related activities and incidents, covering radicalization, terror financing and cyber-terrorism domains for empirical analyses and research at the provincial, national and international levels.
Devise, develop and test counter-terrorism measures, programmes and policy initiatives, covering counter-radicalization, terror financing and cyber-terrorism campaigns at the provincial, national and international levels
Build synergies by developing networks with relevant provincial, national and international experts, officials, institutions, forces, initiatives and campaigns involved in activities related to counter-terrorism.
Teach, disseminate and build general awareness of security forces, national and international institutions, academic centers and the general population over issues related to terrorism and counterterrorism measures and operations.

The Mission

To be the premier counter-terrorism center of the country in terms of research and analyses, for developing policy studies and campaigns through enhanced connectivity and network with relevant institutions, forces, experts and officials at the regional, national and international levels.

Terror Tracker New Digest

Terror Tracker is a newsletter that zeroes in on recent terrorism-related activities and issues unfolding around the world. It even tracks and analyzes various counter-terrorism measures and campaigns at the international level. With particular focus on the South Asian region, the newsletter seeks to inform and update policy makers, security forces as well as the general public about the changing contours of the highly elusive, yet ever lurking global threat.

Gaza War and the Risk of Major Regional Escalation

While the Israel–Hamas conflict was initially concentrated around Gaza, the risks have since escalated to other regions as well.

Adil Rasheed
February 02, 2024
Issue Brief

Israel–Hamas Conflict and Maritime Security in Red Sea

The Houthi actions have highlighted the need for reliable and enhanced maritime security measures in the Red Sea.

Social Media and Counter-Terror Operations

Social media platform usage during course of counter-terror operations can lead to adverse fallouts.

Shashank Ranjan
December 01, 2023
IDSA Comments

Taliban’s Systematic Apartheid against Afghan Women and Girls

Afghan women and girls have borne the impact of systematic identity erasure and discrimination in the public sphere due to the Taliban’s edicts.

Saman Ayesha Kidwai
September 18, 2023
Issue Brief

The Irreligious, Inauthentic Narrative of ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’

Ghazwatul Hind appears to be a speculative eschatological red herring, meant to beguile and mislead young minds by violent extremist and terrorist groups.

Adil Rasheed
August 18, 2023
Issue Brief

Iran-Arab Gulf Joint Naval Force and China’s ‘Collective Security Architecture’

China and Iran claim to be building a new security architecture for West Asia on the pretext of keeping out the “unjustified” presence of “foreign forces”.

Adil Rasheed
June 15, 2023
IDSA Comments

Al-Qaeda vs ISIS: Competitive Extremism and Turf Wars

Al-Qaeda and ISIS have attempted to monopolise the transnational jihadist movement and emerge as the sole vanguard of the Ummah (community).

Towards an Epistemic Understanding of Radicalism, Extremism and Terrorism

The persistence of conceptual confusion regarding terms associated with terrorism impedes the legitimacy and effectiveness of counter-terrorism campaigns.

Adil Rasheed
May 02, 2023
Issue Brief

Terrorism Trends: 2023 and Beyond

New and emerging technologies are increasingly being used for fulfilling terrorist motives.

Nikhil Guvvadi
April 13, 2023
Issue Brief

The Metastasising ISKP Menace for India

The Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility for last year’s botched Coimbatore and Mangalore blasts in an attempt to show its expanding influence, which raises serious concerns for Indian security agencies.