The Changing Face of Terrorism — Global Overview 2025

 

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The Changing Face of Terrorism — Global Overview || 2025 proved that terrorism hasn't ended—it has changed its form, geography, and strategy

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The year 2025 reminded the world that while terrorism may have weakened in its traditional forms in some regions, its threat has not disappeared. Instead, its form, geography, and strategy are evolving. Africa’s Sahel region, South Asia—especially India’s border areas—West Asia, and several Western and developed nations all faced terrorism in some form. For the first time, even a relatively “safe” country like Australia witnessed a major terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Tragically, the level of radicalism has escalated to the point where a father-son duo from a particular community carried out a massacre of Jews, considering it a religious act.

In 2025, it appeared that the number of terrorist incidents declined in some places, but the attacks became more lethal and spread across more countries. The geographic reach of terrorism expanded. If this trend continues, it could engulf the entire world in the coming years. While many still assert that “terror has no religion,” nearly all major terrorist incidents last year were dominated by extremists from one particular religion.

“Terrorism is no longer a problem of one region—it is a global security challenge driven by technology, proxy networks, and soft-target strategies.”

India’s Security Landscape in 2025

India’s domestic security framework remained strong, but cross-border and Kashmir-sponsored terrorism posed serious challenges. The Pahalgam and Red Fort attacks reshaped the year’s security landscape and highlighted the need for policy and community-level interventions. High-profile, white-collar, and highly educated terrorists underscored the need for radical policy changes and strong political will, as well as the urgent need to eliminate homegrown extremist ideologies.

The Pahalgam attack (22 April 2025), in which 26 Hindu tourists were killed after being asked their religion, was the year’s most brutal and gruesome religious massacre. The Red Fort suicide car bombing (10 November 2025), involving highly educated doctors from a specific community and names linked to Al-Falah University, was a high-profile, white-collar incident allegedly carried out in the name of “Ghazwa-e-Hind.” These events caused immense damage to local citizens and the tourism sector, and sparked serious suspicion toward a particular community in nearly every democratic country.

Global Terrorism Trends and Data

The Institute for Economics and Peace (GTI) 2025 report stated that the geographic spread of terrorism increased, and the number of affected countries multiplied. While some countries saw reduced impact, new hotspots emerged and new technologies were adopted. According to the Global Terrorism Index and other reports, annual deaths from terrorism had crossed 12,000 by 2023. Despite a 10% decline in 2024, the number of affected countries rose from 58 to 80, and the death toll reached alarming levels.

Major incidents included:

• Australia: Bondi Beach shooting at a Jewish gathering (14 December 2025)
• Pakistan: Mastung police bus attack and Islamabad suicide bombing
• Syria: Homs mosque bombing (26 December 2025)
• Nigeria: Maiduguri mosque suicide attack (25 December 2025
• USA: New Orleans truck attack killing 14 and injuring 57
• Sahel, Somalia, Congo, Yemen, Afghanistan: dozens of attacks with thousands of casualties and billions in property damage

Ideological Roots and Community Dynamics

Almost all attacks involved individuals or groups linked to a specific religious ideology, although many followers of that religion worldwide continued to claim that their faith promotes peace and brotherhood. It remains unclear whether these individuals are radicals or defenders of religious extremism. As a result, India’s references to “Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb” and examples of communal harmony are increasingly questioned in the context of terrorism.

Kashmir and Political Response

After the abrogation of Article 370, radical elements in the valley were stunned, and terrorism in Kashmir declined significantly. However, the government left certain amendments incomplete, preventing the return of Kashmiri Pandits and the settlement of outsiders in the region. Governance remained valley-centric, sidelining Jammu and facilitating demographic changes through the settlement of infiltrators.

Anti-national elements continued to dominate local politics, claiming Hindu tourism in Kashmir was a cultural invasion. They ignored Kashmir’s deep Hindu roots, including its origin from Sage Kashyap and its significance in Shaivism and pilgrimage traditions like Amarnath.

Political Silence and National Security

All political parties, including the BJP, remained largely silent. The vandalism of the Ashoka emblem at Hazratbal and the Red Fort suicide attack highlighted the consequences of inaction. The BJP must rise above electoral calculations and take bold decisions in the national interest. Otherwise, public outrage may cost them power and harm the nation.

Strategic Recommendations for India

India’s anti-terror strategy must include:

· Review of madrasa education and foreign funding

· Monitoring of mosque sermons

· Identification and deportation of illegal infiltrators

· Regulation of religious and social organizations

· The strength of a nation lies in the accountability of its political institutions, social inclusion, and active civic dedication. Harsh laws and policies will only be sustainable if political will is balanced with judicial safeguards and human rights.

Conclusion

Every citizen’s contribution—following rules, engaging in dialogue, and public service—can lead to major transformation. The goal of political reform should be to build an ecosystem where accountability, transparency, and national interest replace vote-bank politics. True dedication to the nation is meaningful only when it walks hand-in-hand with tough policies, empathy, justice, and inclusion.