New Delhi: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday said that terrorism has been effectively countered in India, with the last major incident occurring in 2013. He noted that, except for Jammu and Kashmir, the entire country has remained secure from terrorist attacks.
“The facts are clear and indisputable. Terrorism in India has been effectively countered. The last major incident took place in the hinterland in 2013, while the previous one was in 2005. Except for Jammu and Kashmir, which has long been a theatre of proxy warfare from Pakistan, the rest of the country has remained safe. Efforts were made—people were arrested, explosives recovered,” Doval said while delivering the annual Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture on Governance.
He emphasized that no terrorist incidents have occurred in the hinterland despite continued threats, and noted a significant decline in left-wing extremism.
“Enemies remain active, but fortunately, we’ve not witnessed any terrorist incidents in the hinterland. Left-wing extremism has now shrunk to less than 11 per cent of the areas it affected in 2014. Most districts once classified as extremist-prone are now considered safe,” Doval said.
The NSA highlighted that India has established credible deterrence, ensuring the country can respond effectively to any threat.
“It’s not enough to have security measures in place. What truly matters is that every Indian feels secure—against both internal and external threats. We must demonstrate our will and capacity to respond to any challenge in a way that best protects our national interests,” he asserted.
Doval also underlined the importance of inclusive security and governance, stressing the need to empower vulnerable sections and ensure women’s safety.
“There’s a special need to care for the deprived, the weak, and the marginalised, and to make them feel empowered. Women’s security is of utmost importance—ensuring their protection, equality, and empowerment is essential for good governance in today’s world,” he said.
