The scourge of terrorism is a grave challenge to national security. What solutions do you suggest to curb this growing menace? What are the major sources of terrorist funding?

Terrorism, the use of violence to instil fear for political or ideological ends, remains among India's gravest security challenges, manifesting as cross-border militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism and radicalisation.

Solutions to curb the menace

• Strengthen intelligence: better coordination through NIA, NATGRID, MAC and state agencies for actionable, shared intelligence.
• Border management: smart fencing, technology surveillance and choking infiltration routes.
• Legal and institutional: effective use of UAPA, speedy trials and capacity-building of the police and NSG.
• Counter-radicalisation: deradicalisation programmes, community engagement and countering online extremist propaganda.
• Development and diplomacy: address local grievances and build international pressure to isolate state sponsors, as through FATF.

Major sources of terrorist funding

• State sponsorship and cross-border channels.
• Hawala and informal value transfer evading banking scrutiny.
• Fake Indian currency, drug trafficking (narco-terrorism) and smuggling along the golden crescent.
• Extortion, misuse of charities/NGOs and shell entities.
• Cryptocurrency and crowdfunding exploiting digital anonymity.

Way forward

A whole-of-government approach combining intelligence, financial tracking (FIU-IND, PMLA), international cooperation via FATF, and developmental outreach is essential to defeat terrorism and choke its finances.