ARMED CONFLICT AND TERRORISM IN SOUTH ASIA: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

The study aims to scrutiny the nature of armed conflict and terrorism in South Asia. A mixed method of qualitative and quantitative analysis has used to conduct this study. The study has also followed an analytical model to make an assessment on the variation of the intensity of armed conflict and terrorism in the leading and lagging region of South Asia. Methodologically, the study does not directly address the policies of the South Asian countries but rather uses already available literatures of policy experts to conclusively make a judgment based on the research question-to what extent the incidence of terrorism is varied from the leading region to the lagging region of South Asia? To reach to an answer of this query the study has conducted a statistical analysis of the MIPT data sets and found that armed conflict and terrorism increase rapidly in lagging regions in compare to the leading region of South Asia. From 2005 to 2014 the increasing trend of terrorist incidence and the number of fatalities (per million populations) in the lagging region of South Asia is 1.897% and 1.231% higher than the leading region. Further country wise statistical analysis indicates that, terrorist incidence in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka is respectively 0.545 percent, 1.87%, 1.947% and 2.232% higher in the lagging region in compare to the leading region. Based on the statistical findings the study has recommended to initiate an organized study on terrorism in South Asia. The study has also stated the requirement of a database on terrorism in South Asia and lastly concludes with the outcome that the prevalence terrorism in South Asia can only be curtailed with joint efforts especially with regard to India and Pakistan.