south-asian-militant-groups-and-global-jihad-in-2015

QUILL IAM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is designed as a field guide to the most significant militant groups
in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. It illustrates regional and international
trends, and it explains the strategies that have been used by various global
jihadist actors at a turning point in South Asian geopolitics.
Due to a combination of military operations against them, internal
fractionalisation, and the shifting influence of “global jihad”, terrorist groups
in South Asia are far from structured, cohesive units. As such, Quilliam
advocates a new approach in policy. It is now crucial to revisit and reemphasise
the potential for counter-radicalization strategies, as well as
mental health policy to reduce the risk of radicalisation. Moreover, we
maintain that by coupling civil society initiatives with local, regional, and
international policies, the affected Governments will be able to counter these
violent ideologies.
Based on our findings, Quilliam has developed the following set of counterterrorism
and counter-extremism recommendations:
T o the Inte rn a t i o n a l Comm unity:
Make counter-extremism and human rights principles the
cornerstone of all related aid that is provided to Pakistan and
Afghanistan.
Continue to focus on human rights as a core aim. Strongly insist on
greater transparency during counter-terror operations such as
Zarb-e-Azb in FATA. If human rights abuses against civilians go
unchecked, then defeating one wave of militancy is a temporary
victory, as another will be created in the process in response to
perceived injustices.
Support grassroots reconciliation efforts and civil society
initiatives which offer positive, sensitive, and sustainable forms of
post-conflict solutions.
Better engage with Muslim communities in India, Pakistan, Jammu
and Kashmir (J&K), and Afghanistan to decrease the appeal of an
Islamic caliphate by promoting democratic cultures and
addressing grievances to prevent militant ideologies exploiting
them.
Help foster stronger micro-finance charity relationships, banking
systems, and schemes in South Asia in order to provide conduits to
micro-credit for smaller villages and communities that will
facilitate economic and social development, and reduce the risks of
radicalisation within the relevant communities. The informal
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