Lone Wolf Attacks
Introduction
A lone wolf, lone-wolf terrorist or lone actor is someone who prepares and commits violent acts alone, outside of any command structure and without material assistance from any group.
· IS and lone wolf attacks: The potential for such attacks in various parts of the world is evident from the call given by the Islamic State (IS) encouraging its supporters and sympathizers, who are not formally enlisted cadres, to undertake lone wolf strikes.
Reasons for Lone Wolf attacks over the world
· Communication technologies with terrorists:
i. Terrorists outfits like the Islamic State have developed state of the art communication and signalling systems which are at times better than the systems in place with security agencies.
ii. This gives them an upper hand while dealing with security forces.
· Digital media to spread propaganda: The sophisticated use of social media, YouTube and Skype among others, has enabled the IS to undertake electronic outreach of its terrorist activities.
· Right to possess weapons: Possessing weapons lawfully is a legal right in countries like US, New Zealand which makes it easier for the fringe elements to get automatic weapons which can do a greater damage when used in a public place.
· Polarization along religious lines: Polarization on religious and ethnic lines as a measure to achieve narrow political goals has resulted in increasing extremists’ tendencies and intolerance.
· Networking of terrorists with criminal gangs: International media have often reported the growing nexus between terrorist outfits and criminal gangs which provide logistical supports to terrorist as these criminal gangs are well acquainted with the target areas.
Indian scenario
· No psychological will: Indians have not displayed the potential will to commit high risk attacks such as suicide attacks.
· Availability of weapons: In India, it is very difficult to get sophisticated weapons with proper license while in countries like US where ordinary citizen can also get sophisticated weapons along with a valid license.
· Indian Mujaheddin:
i. It is the only major indigenous terrorist group which has operated on a pan-Indian scale.
ii. Recent arrests of its senior hierarchy have proved to be a setback for this group and other radical elements who might have been motivated to indulge in violence
Steps taken by government
· Setting up of JWGs: Government of India has set up Joint Working Groups on security and counter terrorism with various countries across the globe.
· Raising regional hubs of NSG: The Government has established four Regional Hubs of National Security Guard (NSG) at Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Kolkata in West Bengal and Mumbai in Maharashtra after the 26/11 attacks in 2018.
· Counter terrorism division in MHA: A new Division in the Home Ministry has been created exclusively to deal with Counter Terrorism.
· Bilateral treaties on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLATs): India has signed Bilateral treaties with various countries on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLATs) in Criminal matters to facilitate investigation, collection of evidence, transfer of witnesses, location & action against proceeds of crime.
Concerns
· Use of Social Media: Use of digital media to spread hate and radical propaganda is a major concern in ensuring security of India.
· Radicalization of youth: Youths being radicalized in the name of religion
· Security at public places:
i. Heavy concentration of people in public areas offers a large number of potential targets.
ii. While some installations have utilized the limited protection offered by private security measures, a large number of public places continue to remain vulnerable.
Way ahead
· Attention to potential target groups: Attention should be given potential targets such as youth in communal violence hit areas to prevent them from engaging in terrorism related activities.
· Helplines and professional counselling: Radicalization of youth can be tackled with proper counselling by professionals and creating dedicated helpline for that purpose
· Social integration: Social integration of ethnic and religious minorities shoud
· Effective surveillance: Big data analytics must be used to discern the level of radicalization of potential recruits, their networks and sources of information, funding and leadership in order to help unravel the roots of radicalization.
· Keeping check on illicit trafficking of weapons: Smuggling of illicit weapons needs to be checked so as to ensure that these weapons do not land into the hands of extremists.
Sources
IDSA, Economic Times, The Hindu,ORF