south-asian-militant-groups-and-global-jihad-in-2015
south-asian-militant-groups-and-global-jihad-in-2015
south-asian-militant-groups-and-global-jihad-in-2015
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QUILL IAM<br />
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY<br />
This report is designed as a field guide to the most significant <strong>militant</strong> <strong>groups</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> Afghanistan, Pakistan, <strong>and</strong> India. It illustrates regional <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
trends, <strong>and</strong> it expla<strong>in</strong>s the strategies that have been used by various <strong>global</strong><br />
<strong>jihad</strong>ist actors at a turn<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t <strong>in</strong> South Asian geopolitics.<br />
Due to a comb<strong>in</strong>ation of military operations aga<strong>in</strong>st them, <strong>in</strong>ternal<br />
fractionalisation, <strong>and</strong> the shift<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>fluence of “<strong>global</strong> <strong>jihad</strong>”, terrorist <strong>groups</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> South Asia are far from structured, cohesive units. As such, Quilliam<br />
advocates a new approach <strong>in</strong> policy. It is now crucial to revisit <strong>and</strong> reemphasise<br />
the potential for counter-radicalization strategies, as well as<br />
mental health policy to reduce the risk of radicalisation. Moreover, we<br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> that by coupl<strong>in</strong>g civil society <strong>in</strong>itiatives with local, regional, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational policies, the affected Governments will be able to counter these<br />
violent ideologies.<br />
Based on our f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs, Quilliam has developed the follow<strong>in</strong>g set of counterterrorism<br />
<strong>and</strong> counter-extremism recommendations:<br />
T o the Inte rn a t i o n a l Comm unity:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Make counter-extremism <strong>and</strong> human rights pr<strong>in</strong>ciples the<br />
cornerstone of all related aid that is provided to Pakistan <strong>and</strong><br />
Afghanistan.<br />
Cont<strong>in</strong>ue to focus on human rights as a core aim. Strongly <strong>in</strong>sist on<br />
greater transparency dur<strong>in</strong>g counter-terror operations such as<br />
Zarb-e-Azb <strong>in</strong> FATA. If human rights abuses aga<strong>in</strong>st civilians go<br />
unchecked, then defeat<strong>in</strong>g one wave of militancy is a temporary<br />
victory, as another will be created <strong>in</strong> the process <strong>in</strong> response to<br />
perceived <strong>in</strong>justices.<br />
Support grassroots reconciliation efforts <strong>and</strong> civil society<br />
<strong>in</strong>itiatives which offer positive, sensitive, <strong>and</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able forms of<br />
post-conflict solutions.<br />
Better engage with Muslim communities <strong>in</strong> India, Pakistan, Jammu<br />
<strong>and</strong> Kashmir (J&K), <strong>and</strong> Afghanistan to decrease the appeal of an<br />
Islamic caliphate by promot<strong>in</strong>g democratic cultures <strong>and</strong><br />
address<strong>in</strong>g grievances to prevent <strong>militant</strong> ideologies exploit<strong>in</strong>g<br />
them.<br />
Help foster stronger micro-f<strong>in</strong>ance charity relationships, bank<strong>in</strong>g<br />
systems, <strong>and</strong> schemes <strong>in</strong> South Asia <strong>in</strong> order to provide conduits to<br />
micro-credit for smaller villages <strong>and</strong> communities that will<br />
facilitate economic <strong>and</strong> social development, <strong>and</strong> reduce the risks of<br />
radicalisation with<strong>in</strong> the relevant communities. The <strong>in</strong>formal<br />
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