This question rises now because of Israel’s assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Experts are divided. Some believe: kill the leaders and the organisation dies. Others say: kill the leaders, but you cannot kill the ideology.
Four decades of reporting insurgencies lead me to believe that “decapitation”—targeted killing of top leaders—invariably delivers a death blow to militant organisations. My first experience was in Punjab in the 1980s-1990s when bus massacres and school bombings struck terror in the countryside—and in New Delhi. Questioned about his strategy to quell Sikh militancy, supercop K.P.S. Gill told me: “Kill the leaders.” He succeeded. Insurgency died, democracy returned.
This story is from the October 20, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 20, 2024 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why Trump covets Greenland
There’s no denying it. Donald Trump is a prince among real estate developers, known for his pushy, winner-takes-all approach.
Bomb man who kept his mouth shut
The best thing about Rajagopala Chidambaram, who passed away recently, was that he “could keep his mouth shut”, as his mentor Raja Ramanna wrote in his memoir, Years of Pilgrimage. No wonder, he tested six atom bombs with no CIA, ISI or satellite spy eyes getting any wiser beforehand.
Extreme to mainstream
With the recent surrender of six Naxals, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah declares Karnataka almost “Naxal-free”. The BJP is questioning his “closeness” to the far left
SUMMITS, SURVIVAL AND SERVICE
Mountaineering expeditions play a crucial role in mountain warfare training
EYES ON THE ICE
THE INDIAN ARMY TRAINS ITS MOUNTAIN WARRIORS AT THE MACHOI GLACIER WHERE THEY LEARN ICE AND SNOW CRAFT IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES. THE HIGH ALTITUDE WARFARE SCHOOL IN GULMARG PREPARES THEM FOR WARS THAT ARE DRIVEN BY TECHNOLOGY AND INTELLIGENCE. ON SNOW-COVERED BATTLEFIELDS LIKE THE HIMALAYAS, THE ARMY WANTS ITS JUNIOR LEADERSHIP TO BECOME DECISION-MAKERS AT THE TACTICAL LEVEL
Time to dream big
Every year, January 12 is celebrated as National Youth Day—as homage to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, honouring his enduring teachings and visionary ideas.
Climbing the power ladder
In his latest book, T.V. Paul explores India's search for its day in the sun as a global power
Howdy, rowdies
The world is already exhausted, and Donald Trump has not even begun his second term.
The going gets rough
It’s been a very macho fortnight
Eastward Ho!
Odisha, which hosted this year's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, is emerging as a focal point for India's Act East Policy, given the turmoil in the northeast
