Analyzing Organized Crime:3

Terrorism and Financing of Terrorism

Terrorism is an evil witnessed around the world. It poses an imminent threat to civilians and governments. Terrorist attacks not only affect the victims, but also civilization as a larger audience. There is no common definition of terrorism, which is globally accepted by all. Different countries and organizations working to eradicate it have defined it differently. Terrorism is defined in the Code of Federal Regulations as “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives."1

According to the Global Terrorism Index, India is the fourth most terrorism-afflicted country in the world after Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan. There were 529 incidents of terrorism in India in 20112. The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) has a specific definition of terrorism — “…covering acts of intentional violence perpetrated by sub national non-state actors.” Furthermore, the acts must satisfy two of the following three criteria:

► They must be aimed at attaining a specific political, economic, religious or social goal.

► There must be evidence of an intention to coerce, intimidate or convey a message to a larger audience than the immediate victims.

► The acts must be outside the context of legitimate warfare-related activities.