Syllabus: GS3/Internal Security
In News
- The term “white-collar terrorism” has gained sudden popularity in mainstream media and public discourse after the Delhi Red Fort blast by radicalised doctors linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad.
What is White-collar Terrorism?
- White-collar terrorism refers to terrorist activities carried out by highly educated professionals — such as doctors, engineers, professors, IT experts who use their expertise, social networks, and trusted societal positions to plan, support, and execute terror operations.
- Unlike conventional militants, these individuals may operate covertly within professional or academic environments, facilitating logistics, procurement of materials, radicalization, recruitment, and even operational execution with lower suspicion due to their legitimate professions.
Reasons for Rise in White Collar Terrorism
- Ideological Radicalization of Professionals: Increasing numbers of educated individuals are being targeted and radicalized by terror groups through ideological narratives, often via online echo chambers and encrypted messaging platforms.
- Strategic Shift by Terror Networks: Terrorist organizations are deliberately recruiting white-collar professionals for their specialized skills, access to sensitive resources (labs, finance, information), and broad social networks.
- Social and Religious Grievances: Educated individuals feeling social or religious alienation, humiliation, or perceived injustice are vulnerable to being exploited by extremist ideologies.
- Weak Institutional Vigilance: Institutions such as academic centers, hospitals, and corporate offices have traditionally low scrutiny for subversive activities, giving white-collar terrorists easier operational environments.
- Technological Sophistication: Cyber forensics and intelligence agencies face challenges keeping pace with rapid tech advances.
India’s Counter Terrorism Strategy
- Specialized Agencies: Creation of elite counter-terror units and intelligence agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) for focused action.
- Legal Frameworks: Enactment and periodic strengthening of anti-terror laws, primarily the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), to empower agencies with preventive detention, investigation, and prosecution powers.
- Institutional Audits & Capacity Building: Security audits in hospitals, universities, and IT parks; training staff to identify suspicious activities and radicalization indicators.
- Cyber Surveillance & Tech Upgradation: Investment in advanced cyber forensics, AI-driven threat detection, and monitoring of encrypted apps and financial transactions.
- Community Engagement & Counter-Radicalization: Initiatives for deradicalization—counselling, awareness programs, and partnerships with civil society to address grievances and foster resilience against extremist narratives.
- International Cooperation: Sharing intelligence and best practices with global partners to counter cross-border elements and sophisticated funding channels.
- Retaliatory Responses: Like Surgical Strike (2016), and Operation Sindoor (2025).
Source :FP
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