By the Baisnab Charan Pradhan, High Commissioner of India to Sierra Leone

Terrorism remains one of the gravest threats of our time; an affliction that transcends borders, nationalities and cultures. It is not merely a security challenge; it is a direct assault on humanity, on our shared values and on the universal aspiration for peace and development. Its impact is felt in the lives lost, futures destroyed and nations pushed away from their development trajectories. As the world reflects on the decades past, it is crucial for all of us, Governments, policy thinkers, civil society and citizens, to renew our collective resolve to combat this menace.

Terrorism inflicts immense suffering on innocent populations. Beyond the tragic loss of lives, terror disrupts livelihoods, displaces communities and pushes nations into cycles of poverty and insecurity. Infrastructure meant for progress, schools, hospitals, power grids, markets, often becomes collateral damage. Investment and tourism decline, widening inequality and halting economic growth. For developing nations, the consequences are especially devastating, as scarce resources are diverted from essential services toward security and emergency responses. In essence, terrorism is an enemy of development, an enemy of peace and an enemy of the future.

Over the last four decades, the world has witnessed several catastrophic terrorist attacks that reshaped global security thinking:

- The bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985 claimed 329 innocent lives.


- The 1998 bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania killed over 200 people and injured thousands.


- The 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in the United States resulted in nearly 3,000 deaths, altering the global security landscape.


- The 2004 Madrid train bombings and the 2005 London bombings shook Europe with mass casualties.


- The 2015 Paris attacks and the recurrent waves of terror across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia continue to serve as grim reminders that terrorism respects no boundaries.

Each of those events underscores the heavy human cost of ideological extremism.

India has been a persistent victim of cross-border terrorism for decades. From the attack on Mumbai in 1993 to the horrific 26/11 attacks in 2008 and Pahalgam attacks in 2025, terrorism has targeted civilians, security personnel, democratic institutions and places of worship. Hundreds of lives have been lost in terror incidents in Jammu & Kashmir, in insurgency-affected regions and in metropolitan centres.

Yet India’s response has been equally resolute. Our nation has strengthened its legal systems, enhanced intelligence coordination, fortified borders and deepened international cooperation. Most importantly, India’s response has been rooted in democratic values, pluralism and the principle that terrorism can never be justified.

The African continent has not been immune to the scourge of terrorism. Groups such as Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, ISIS affiliates and other extremist networks have caused immense suffering. West Africa and the Sahel in particular have experienced displacement of millions, destruction of villages, abductions and economic disruption. The destabilization caused by terrorism hampers state capacity, undermines democracy and threatens regional integration.

Sierra Leone, while largely peaceful, exists within a region facing significant security challenges, making the strengthening of regional and international cooperation essential.

The United Nations has undertaken important initiatives; including the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, Security Council resolutions on terrorist financing and the establishment of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre. Regional bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS, the European Union and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have also advanced frameworks for counter-terror coordination.

However, the effectiveness of those mechanisms depends on collective political will. Terrorism cannot be fought in silos; it demands unity, information-sharing, capacity-building and strong messaging against extremism.

India has consistently taken a leadership role in shaping the global counter-terror agenda. India has championed the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN to bring clarity and consensus to the global definition of terrorism. India is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, many of which operate in terror-affected regions.

India’s intelligence-sharing partnerships, capacity-building programmes, defence cooperation initiatives and counter-radicalization efforts are recognized worldwide. India strongly believes that terrorism in one part of the world is a threat to peace everywhere.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized the moral and strategic imperative of united global action against terrorism. His remarks have resonated globally:

“Terrorism has no borders, no values and no humanity.”

“The world must de-link religion from terrorism. Any act of terror is against humanity itself.”

“There cannot be good terrorism or bad terrorism; there is only terrorism.”

These words remind us that selective approaches weaken the global response; only collective and universal opposition can prevail.

The tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India, on 22 April 2025 claimed the lives of 26 innocent tourists, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the region since 2000. In response, the Government of India has launched a diplomatic initiative titled "Operation Sindoor", aimed at reinforcing its commitment to combating terrorism and promoting regional stability through proactive engagement with the international community.

Under Operation Sindoor, India has strengthened its internal security architecture, enhanced technological capabilities and supported global frameworks against terrorism. The initiative emphasizes coordination between defence forces, intelligence agencies and law enforcement systems to pre-empt and neutralize threats. India remains committed to sharing best practices and supporting partners in enhancing their counter-terror capacities.

During the visit of the All Party Parliamentary Delegation of India to Sierra Leone in May 2025, the Parliament of Sierra Leone made a deeply meaningful gesture by condemning terrorism in all its forms and expressing solidarity with India’s longstanding fight against this global menace. This thoughtful act symbolized the strong bonds of friendship and shared commitment of our two nations to peace, stability and democratic values.

I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone for their strong support and show of solidarity during the visit of the All Party Parliamentary Delegation of India. I also extend heartfelt appreciation to the vibrant media fraternity of Sierra Leone for consistently amplifying the voices of peace, stability and development.

Sierra Leone has strengthened its contribution to global counter-terrorism through significant legal and institutional reforms and active regional and international engagement. The National Counter-Terrorism Act (2024) and the establishment of the National Counter-Terrorism Coordination Committee provide a solid domestic framework, while the Financial Intelligence Agency enhances capabilities to detect and prevent terrorist financing. Sierra Leone also supports the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Plan of Action and cooperates with initiatives such as the Multinational Joint Task Force and the Accra Initiative. Globally, it is party to key UN counter-terrorism conventions and advocates for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism to promote a unified global response.

The fight against terrorism is not the responsibility of Governments alone. It requires the involvement of policy makers, academic institutions, security agencies, religious and traditional leaders, civil societies and the youth. Together, we must promote peace narratives, counter radicalization, build trust, reject hatred and strengthen institutions.

Terrorism thrives in division; it is defeated by unity. Let us join hands, India and Sierra Leone, Africa and Asia, the entire global community,to protect humanity from the scourge of terror and to ensure a safer, more prosperous world for generations to come. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/human-cost-of-terrorism/