Terror Attacks in India: A Decade of Challenges (2015–2025)

India has faced persistent terrorism threats over the past decade, with attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and critical infrastructure. These incidents, often linked to separatist movements in Jammu and Kashmir, left-wing extremism in central India, and cross-border militancy, have shaped India’s security policies and international relations. This editorial examines major terror attacks in India from 2015 to 2025, drawing on verified data to provide an accurate and focused account of the challenges and responses. The narrative avoids speculation and irrelevant details, emphasizing key incidents, their impact, and the broader context.

The Context of Terrorism in India

Terrorism in India stems from multiple sources: Islamist militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, often attributed to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which India alleges are supported by Pakistan; Maoist insurgencies in states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand; and sporadic separatist violence in the Northeast. Between 2014 and 2018 alone, Jammu and Kashmir saw a 176% rise in terrorist incidents, with a 93% increase in security personnel deaths, highlighting the intensity of the challenge. The revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 marked a turning point, reducing violence in some areas but sparking new tensions that culminated in high-profile attacks like the 2025 Pahalgam massacre.

Major Terror Attacks: 2015–2025

Below is a chronological overview of significant terror attacks in India over the past decade, based on reliable sources and focused on incidents with notable casualties or strategic impact.

1. Pathankot Airbase Attack (January 2–5, 2016)

• Details: Militants linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, Punjab. The assault killed seven security personnel and one civilian, with six attackers neutralized.
• Impact: The attack exposed vulnerabilities in securing critical infrastructure near the Pakistan border. It strained India-Pakistan relations, as India accused Pakistan-based groups of orchestrating the strike.
• Response: India strengthened border security and shared intelligence with global partners, pushing for stricter anti-terrorism measures.

2. Uri Attack (September 18, 2016)

• Details: Four heavily armed JeM militants stormed an army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers and injuring over 30. The attackers were killed in a prolonged gunfight.
• Impact: One of the deadliest attacks on Indian forces in decades, it sparked national outrage and intensified calls for retaliation.
• Response: India conducted “surgical strikes” on September 29, 2016, targeting militant launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, signaling a shift to proactive counter-terrorism.

3. Pulwama Attack (February 14, 2019)

• Details: A suicide bomber from JeM rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, killing 40 personnel. The attacker, Adil Ahmad Dar, was a local recruit.
• Impact: The attack was a major escalation, highlighting the growing threat of homegrown militancy. It led to widespread protests and strained India-Pakistan ties to a breaking point.
• Response: India retaliated with airstrikes on February 26, 2019, targeting JeM camps in Balakot, Pakistan. The ensuing aerial skirmish saw heightened tensions, with Pakistan downing an Indian MiG-21 and capturing its pilot, who was later released.

4. Dantewada Bombing (April 25, 2023)

• Details: Maoist insurgents detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, targeting a security convoy. The attack killed 10 District Reserve Guard personnel and a driver.
• Impact: It underscored the persistent threat of left-wing extremism in India’s “Red Corridor,” despite government claims of declining Maoist violence.
• Response: The government intensified anti-Maoist operations, deploying additional forces and investing in development programs to address socio-economic drivers of insurgency.

5. Reasi Attack (June 9, 2024)

• Details: Militants ambushed a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, killing nine and injuring 33. The attack was attributed to The Resistance Front (TRF), a LeT offshoot.
• Impact: Targeting civilians heightened fears of resurgent militancy post-2019. It raised questions about the security situation in Jammu, traditionally less affected than Kashmir.
• Response: Security forces launched a massive search operation, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe to uncover the network behind the attack.

6. Bengaluru Cafe Bombing (March 1, 2024)

• Details: A low-intensity IED blast at Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru injured nine people. The attack, linked to suspected Islamist radicals, was a rare instance of urban terrorism in southern India.
• Impact: It highlighted the potential for terrorism to spread beyond conflict zones, raising concerns about radicalization in metropolitan areas.
• Response: The NIA arrested key suspects, and Karnataka police enhanced surveillance and intelligence-sharing to prevent similar incidents.

7. Pahalgam Attack (April 22, 2025)

• Details: Militants from TRF, affiliated with LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen, opened fire on tourists in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killing at least 28 people, including two foreign tourists, and injuring over 20. The attack, masterminded by LeT commander Saifullah Kasuri, was the deadliest in the region since 2019.
• Impact: The massacre shocked the nation, targeting civilians in a popular tourist destination. It sparked a valley-wide shutdown and drew global condemnation from leaders like U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The attack fueled debates over intelligence failures and the effectiveness of post-2019 security measures.
• Response: Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a foreign visit to chair a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting. Home Minister Amit Shah visited the site, and the Indian Army authorized limited use of HAL Dhruv helicopters for counter-terrorism operations. The NIA launched a probe, releasing sketches of three suspects.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these efforts, India faces ongoing hurdles:

• Intelligence Coordination: Repeated attacks highlight gaps in real-time intelligence, as seen in Pahalgam, where militants operated undetected in a tourist area.
• Regional Tensions: Allegations of Pakistan’s role complicate diplomacy. The Pahalgam attack reignited calls to designate Pakistan a “terrorist state,” a move with uncertain outcomes.
• Radicalization: Local recruitment, as in Pulwama, and urban incidents like Bengaluru suggest growing radicalization, requiring community-based deradicalization programs.
• Balancing Security and Rights: Heavy militarization in Kashmir fuels alienation, potentially driving youth toward militancy.

The past decade of terror attacks—from Pathankot to Pahalgam—underscores India’s complex security challenges. While the government has made strides in military, legal, and diplomatic responses, the persistence of attacks demands introspection. Strengthening intelligence, addressing local grievances, and fostering global partnerships are critical to reducing the threat. The Pahalgam massacre, with its devastating toll, serves as a grim reminder that terrorism remains a potent force, requiring unwavering resolve and innovative strategies to safeguard India’s diverse and vibrant society.

-BY Manoj H