Global Terrorism Index 2026

Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 highlights emerging trends in global terrorism and India’s counter-terrorism doctrine. Read here to learn more.

The 13th edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, released by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), Australia, reported a significant decline in global terrorism during 2025, with terrorism-related deaths falling by 28% and terrorist incidents declining by 22%.

However, the report warns that terrorism is becoming increasingly concentrated, decentralised, technologically sophisticated, and closely linked to armed conflicts, posing new challenges to global and regional security.

Global Terrorism Index (GTI)

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) is an annual report published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), an independent, non-profit think tank headquartered in Sydney, Australia.

Objectives

• Measure the impact of terrorism across countries.
• Analyse global terrorism trends.
• Assess the socio-economic and political factors that drive terrorism.
• Support evidence-based policymaking.

Methodology

The GTI evaluates countries using indicators such as:

• Number of terrorist incidents
• Number of deaths
• Number of injuries
• Hostage situations
• Economic impact
• Terrorism trends over five years

Key Highlights of GTI 2026

Global Decline in Terrorism

• Terrorism-related deaths declined by 28% in 2025.
• Terrorist attacks reduced by 22% globally.
• Many countries witnessed improved security conditions due to stronger counter-terrorism operations.

Despite this positive trend, terrorism has not disappeared but has become more localised and adaptive.

Geographical Concentration

Nearly 70% of global terrorism deaths occurred in just five countries:

• Pakistan
• Burkina Faso
• Nigeria
• Niger
• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The Sahel region of Africa alone accounted for more than half of global terrorism fatalities, making it the world’s most terrorism-affected region.

India’s Position

• Pakistan ranked 1st in the GTI.
• India ranked 13th globally.

Conflict-Driven Terrorism

The report notes that terrorism thrives in areas experiencing:

• Civil wars
• Political instability
• Weak governance
• Ethnic conflicts

Almost 99% of terrorism-related deaths occurred in countries facing armed conflicts, highlighting the strong relationship between fragile governance and violent extremism.

Rise of Decentralised Terrorism

Modern terrorist organisations increasingly operate through:

• Lone-wolf attackers
• Small autonomous cells
• Online radicalisation networks
• Self-inspired extremists

Unlike traditional hierarchical groups, these decentralised networks are much harder for intelligence agencies to detect.

In Western countries:

• Around 93% of fatal terrorist attacks during the past five years were carried out by lone actors.

Digital Transformation of Terrorism

Technology has fundamentally changed terrorism.

Terrorist organisations increasingly exploit:

• Social media platforms
• Encrypted messaging applications
• Artificial Intelligence
• Cryptocurrency
• Dark web platforms

Digital technologies are now extensively used for:

• Recruitment
• Radicalisation
• Fundraising
• Propaganda
• Operational planning

Border Regions as Terror Hotspots

More than 60% of terrorist attacks occur within 100 km of international borders because border areas facilitate:

• Cross-border infiltration
• Arms smuggling
• Terror financing
• Safe havens

Adaptive Terror Networks

Modern terror organisations have become highly resilient by:

• Splitting into smaller groups
• Exploiting local grievances
• Rapidly adapting to counter-terrorism measures
• Decentralising command structures

Dominance of Major Terror Groups

Global terrorism continues to be driven by a handful of organisations, including:

• Islamic State (IS)
• Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
• Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
• Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
• Al-Shabaab

Geopolitical Conflicts Fuel Extremism

Conflicts across West Asia and geopolitical rivalries continue to generate conditions favourable for:

• Radicalisation
• Recruitment
• Emergence of new extremist organisations

Understanding Terrorism

There is no universally accepted legal definition of terrorism because member states have been unable to agree upon a single binding definition.

However, most definitions include three essential elements:

• Use or threat of violence
• Targeting civilians or non-combatants
• Political, ideological, or religious objectives

United Nations Definition

The UN broadly describes terrorism as criminal acts intended to:

• Cause death or serious injury
• Create fear among the public
• Compel governments or international organisations to act.

Definition in India

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, terrorism includes acts threatening India’s Sovereignty, Unity, Integrity, Security, and Economic stability using:

• Lethal violence
• Destruction of critical infrastructure
• Kidnapping
• Counterfeit currency
• Other serious offences.

The legal definition continues to be anchored in Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967.

Why Does Declining Terrorism Not Mean a Safer World?

Complacency Trap

• Declining global numbers conceal the increasing concentration of terrorism in fragile states where violence often receives less international attention.

Rise of Lone-Wolf Terrorism

Self-radicalised individuals require:

• No organisational membership
• Minimal planning
• Limited communication

Digital Radicalisation

Online platforms enable extremist groups to:

• Recruit followers globally
• Spread propaganda rapidly
• Inspire attacks remotely

Governance Deficit

Weak institutions allow extremist groups to:

• Fill governance vacuums
• Recruit unemployed youth
• Challenge state authority

Adaptive Terror Organisations

Rather than disappearing, terrorist organisations evolve continuously by:

• Changing operational methods
• Decentralising leadership
• Exploiting ethnic and religious divisions

How Does Terrorism Continue to Threaten India?

Cross-Border Terrorism

Pakistan-sponsored proxy terrorism remains India’s primary security challenge.

Groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) have been responsible for attacks, including:

• Parliament Attack (2001)
• Uri Attack (2016)
• Pulwama Attack (2019)
• Pahalgam Attack (2025)

The Pakistan-based ISI continues to support radicalisation and proxy warfare.

Urban Terrorism

Indian cities remain vulnerable to:

• Improvised explosive devices
• Lone-wolf attacks
• Soft-target attacks

Examples include:

• Mumbai attacks (2008)
• Red Fort blast (2025)

Internal Insurgencies

Security challenges continue in:

• Jammu & Kashmir
• Northeast India
• Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas

where extremist groups exploit local grievances.

Cyber Terrorism

Cyberspace has become an important tool for terrorists for:

• Recruitment
• Propaganda
• Fund transfers
• Encrypted communication

Cryptocurrencies and the dark web further complicate investigations.

Terror Financing

Major sources include:

• Hawala networks
• Drug trafficking
• Counterfeit currency
• Arms smuggling

India’s proximity to the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle intensifies these risks.

Maritime Terrorism

India’s 7,500-km coastline remains vulnerable to:

• Illegal infiltration
• Arms smuggling
• Maritime terrorist attacks

India’s Counter-Terrorism Doctrine

India follows a Zero-Tolerance Policy against terrorism, rejecting any distinction between terrorists and their sponsors.

The doctrine emphasises:

• Intelligence-led prevention
• Precision operations
• Strong legal framework
• International cooperation

Recent examples include:

• Surgical Strikes (2016)
• Balakot Air Strike (2019)
• Operation Sindoor (2025)

PRAHAAR Framework

India’s counter-terrorism strategy is guided by the PRAHAAR Framework, which shifts the country’s approach from reactive response to proactive prevention.

The framework rests on four pillars.

Pillar I: Legislative Empowerment

Major legislations include:

• UAPA Amendment Act, 2019
• NIA Amendment Act, 2019
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act amendments
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
• Arms Amendment Act, 2019

These laws strengthened investigation, prosecution, asset seizure, and action against terror financing.

Pillar II: Institutional Strengthening

Major institutions include:

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• India’s premier counter-terrorism investigation agency.
• Conviction rate of 92.7%, among the world’s highest.
• Supported by 53 Special NIA Courts and expanded regional offices.

Multi Agency Centre (MAC)

• Coordinates intelligence sharing among 28 agencies.

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

Integration of various arms for real-time intelligence:

• Banking
• Immigration
• Telecom
• Travel
• Financial databases

Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS 2.0)An 

• AI-enabled national criminal database linking police stations.

Police Modernisation

More than ₹6,300 crore allocated to strengthen:

• Surveillance
• Forensics
• Secure communications
• Counter-terror equipment

Pillar III: Cross-Border Operations

India has demonstrated willingness to undertake calibrated military responses.

• Surgical Strikes (2016): Targeted terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control following the Uri attack.
• Balakot Air Strike (2019): Destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed training facilities after Pulwama.
• Operation Sindoor (2025): Targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir following the Pahalgam attack.

Pillar IV: International Cooperation

India has expanded counter-terror diplomacy through:

• Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
• No Money for Terror Initiative
• Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)
• United Nations Security Council
• INTERPOL
• Joint Working Groups with 27 countries
• BHARATPOL (2025)
• Delhi Declaration (2022)

Outcomes of India’s Counter-Terrorism Reforms

Recent reforms have produced measurable improvements.

Improved Security in Jammu & Kashmir

• Terrorist incidents declined from 228 (2018) to 12 (2025), reflecting improved internal security.

Reduced Casualties

• Better intelligence and proactive operations significantly reduced civilian and security-force casualties.

Restoration of Normalcy

• Stone-pelting has nearly disappeared since 2022.
• Public life, tourism, and governance have undergone substantial improvements.

Economic Revival

Improved security has encouraged:

• Tourism
• Infrastructure development
• Private investment
• Employment generation

Enhanced Intelligence Capability

• Technology-driven surveillance and improved inter-agency coordination have enabled authorities to neutralize terrorist plots before execution.

Decline in Urban Terrorism

• Since the 2013 Hyderabad blasts, India has witnessed relatively few major urban terrorist attacks, reflecting stronger intelligence and preventive policing.

Way Forward

To address emerging forms of terrorism, India should focus on:

• Strengthening cyber counter-terror capabilities and AI-driven threat detection.
• Expediting the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the United Nations.
• Deepening intelligence sharing with global partners.
• Enhancing border management through smart surveillance, drones, and integrated check posts.
• Strengthening financial intelligence to curb terror financing via cryptocurrencies and hawala networks.
• Investing in community-based de-radicalisation, counter-narrative campaigns, and digital literacy to prevent online radicalisation.
• Modernising law enforcement through advanced forensics, predictive analytics, and real-time data integration.
• Improving maritime security through enhanced coastal surveillance and coordination among security agencies.

Conclusion

The Global Terrorism Index 2026 demonstrates that although global terrorism has declined in terms of incidents and fatalities, it has evolved into a more concentrated, decentralised, digitally enabled, and conflict-driven phenomenon.

For India, persistent challenges such as cross-border terrorism, cyber radicalisation, and terror financing necessitate continuous adaptation of its security architecture.

Through a zero-tolerance policy, robust legal reforms, strengthened institutions, intelligence-led operations, and proactive international cooperation, India has significantly enhanced its counter-terrorism capabilities.

Sustaining these gains will require leveraging emerging technologies, strengthening global partnerships, and addressing the root causes of extremism to ensure long-term national and regional security.