Modern History of Terrorism

(Imran Shermila, chiniot)

The word terror was used at the time of French revolution and after this revolution terrorism had become innovative with evolution of technology. When any change happens in technology, strategy by default change by strategists because when we study the history of strategic evolution in which we studied that how the strategy changed with the change of technology and the terrorists facilitates themselves with these great strategists strategy and technology.

Similarly the innovation of technology produced modern weapons including traditional and non-traditional weapons but both are lethal and dangerous for human beings. Everyone recognizes that a commander performs three basic tasks. First, he must be able to carry out reconnaissance of enemy territory so as to locate and identify precise targets, second, he must be able to process this information and communicate it to the forces at his disposal; and third, he must be able to attack and destroy selected targets for the surveillance, the human observer is now assisted by satellite, AWACS, electronic technology, direction finders, cameras, sideways-looking airborne radars, foliage penetrating radars, infrared detectors, thermal imaging techniques and low-light television all these equipments facilitate the terrorists and they conduct any terrorist operation with these equipments and formulate their strategy.

Our security forces are not carrying modern weapons as militant groups are carrying modern weapons with them and creating threats by targeting the innocent people and try to destabilize the country. Now It has become much difficult for the police forces to destroy these militant groups because militants are much developed then the security forces with the access of every type of information that is available on net and easily get the latest technology that is available in the black-markets.

Terrorism developed in the 20th century because this century is called the total war century, millions of people were killed, wounded and displaced due to number of wars and revolutions(Bolshevik revolution, Chinese revolution and Iran revolution), state terrorism, interstate terrorism, national issues, ethnical issues, ideological issues, colonial conflicts among super powers, and many interests in Asia and Middle East brought the waves of wars, first World war occurred among the world super powers( German, British, US, franc, Austria, Italy, Hungry etc). Millions of people died in this war. Soon after one decade Japan attacked on Manchuria, Italy attacked on Ethiopia and a non stop series of attacks began and world went again in 2nd World War and again millions of people died.
But the technology and strategy had been changed gradually like these people used gun powder in the beginning, then tank, aircraft and in 2nd world war they used two nuclear bombs on Japan .1st was on 6 Aug, and 2nd was on 9 Aug by the United States. The destruction of the nuclear bomb was very horrific therefore soon after this destruction nuclear arms race started between communist block and capitalist block instead of the international community abolished and banned this type of development.

After the horrific destruction, the world super powers moved from traditional weapons to non-traditional weapons and produced the nuclear, chemical; laser, radiological and biological weapons, all are more destructive and lethal as compared to traditional weapons. After the second world war, another war started between the United States and the Soviet Union that was called cold war and during cold war rival states avoided the direct confrontation but involved and convinced the other states to fight a proxy war (Korean war, Vietnam war and Afghanistan war) this was not an end but also on the other hand they were cultivating the crop of terrorism.

The term terrorism became most prominent after the 9/11 incident. Before this, people were not much familiar with this term and security arrangements were not as well as today. Because of the security reasons, a common person has experience of many security processes on daily basis. Even then he is not secure. What is the reason that people don’t feel secure? The reason is, these terrorist groups have become more organized and share logistic and administrative support.

Imran Shermila
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