A Headmaster, a Maths Teacher, or a terrorist?

Riyaz Naikoo was a maths teacher before affirmatively responding to a job offer by the HR department of Hizbul Mujahideen. Prima facie, a commander is far above a petty school teacher, Right? And that too, in a notoriously esteemed organization like the Hizbul Mujahideen. Riyaz could not see a reason why he should turn down the offer, and this is how an innocent school teacher became a terrorist. And then he never looked back. Promotions after promotions and he was soon a commander. Oh! What a glory, indeed! Rather, shame. Period.

On 14th February 2019, India witnessed one of the deadliest terror attacks in the Pulwama region of Jammu & Kashmir. This attack caused the martyrdom of over 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel. A suicide bomber of Jaish-e-Mohammad rammed a civil vehicle containing over 100 kg of explosives into the convoy components of the paramilitary personnel. In addition to having killed 40 soldiers, the attack left many critically wounded. The responsibility for this attack was claimed by Pakistan based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad. The attack was a sheer act of aggression. The same may be classified into instrumental or cognitive aggression undertaken by the JeM terrorists. Unlike the examples in which the classification of acts of aggression is based on interpretation, the said attack was condemned by countries all over the world. This makes it an act of pure cognitive aggression which was intentional as well as planned.

The entire concept of terrorism is complicated. It is difficult to understand the motives and goals of terrorists, except for spreading terrorism. They might be naturally evil with a primary aim to hurt others or they might have a motivation to gain something or themselves, their countries, or their religion. Researches have attempted to determine whether particular personality characteristics describe the terrorists. Terrorists might be individuals with a deep psychological disturbance or deeply motivated extremists brainwashed and programmed to attempt such cowardly and heinous attacks. Scholars believe that terrorists wish to gain something through terrorism which they cannot gain otherwise. Even suicide terrorists as in the case of the said attack believe that they have been sent on a mission which would help them with some personal gains- for instance, a promise to live forever in paradise, or an opportunity to meet the Gods or rewards for the member of their families. Hence such cases of suicidal terrorist attacks, are absolute acts of cognitive aggression that cannot be turned otherwise.

Terrorism is bad, and everyone knows that. Joining a terrorist organization is one thing, staying with them even after having realized where one has ended up is another. This is insane, but researches have shown that terrorists do stay due to a sense of belongingness (21%), sense of responsibility towards the organization (11%), fear of being killed upon betrayal (56%), and economic dependence (35%). Many terrorists have cited more than one reason. However, the primary motive behind joining such organizations remains radicalization. This is what happens in cases like that of Naikoo. He provided free tuitions to children which shows that he was not bound to join the terrorist organization for financial support. He had other motives. I believe that most people join extremist or terrorist groups either due to radicalism, religious inflexibility, or personal grievances, however, one model may not fit all.

Terrorism is, indeed, a critical issue that claims lives and diverts government resources as well. Minimization, if not eradication, is imminently required. Development, education, etc. seem to have not worked. There are three categories of people, those who are already terrorists, those who are in the recruitment process, and those who are potentially vulnerable. The first category needs elimination as nothing else would work. As soon as the first category is eliminated, the second category shall already become too weak to sustain as the mentors, recruiters, and leaders would have met their fate. The third category, i.e. The potentially vulnerable youth needs greater attention. Subversion must be stopped, personal grievances redressed, and radicalism neutralized.

How?

Attention Policymakers!