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OPINION OCTOBER 15, 2021 | The Indian Eye 16

Bashar al-Assad, it has also set rectly get in touch with its mem-
its sights on expanding its influ- bers. This degree of accessibility
ence across Central Asia. Vio- makes the emergence of radi-
lent extremism has remained a calised and violent individuals a
potent threat across the region greater threat than before.
since the dissolution of the erst- Furthermore, this organisa-
while Soviet Union. Significant- tion could result in an upsurge
ly, most of the fighters hail from of lone-wolf terrorist attacks
the former Soviet Republics or across India. The jihadists who
Russia’s Muslim majority areas do not want to affiliate them-
like Chechnya. selves with a specific terrorist
organisation could become rad-
Evolving trends and icalised by the propaganda dis-
Enemies seminated by Malhama Tactical.
Malhama Tactical has indi- Much of its activities, including
rectly targetted countries such instructional videos, appear to
as Russia by providing training be directed towards individual
in combat to violent extremists hedeen fighters in Russia that rorism agencies who would find extremists and not cohesive or-
who are fighting against it on have persevered over the years. it difficult to dismantle the over- ganisations. Therefore, violent
the Syrian battlefield. It has pre- all organisational structure and and radical youth could poten-
viously experienced waves of Is- the potential implications leadership through the arrests tially look towards this terror-
lamic militancy led by Chechen The privatisation of jihad of a significant leader, which is ist group as an outlet to realise
terrorists. They believe that the has underscored a pertinent the case with conventional ter- their objectives. The adherence
efforts of the Syrian resistance dilemma. As extremist Islamist rorist groups. to Abu Musab al-Suri’s call, fa-
forces are part of a much broad- groups are becoming more ter- According to notable strate- cilitated by internet connectivity
er and intensive war against the ritorial, their reach has also gists like Sean McFate, the ac- and social media access, could
Russian state with which they become narrower. However, tivities of this organisation have create havoc, forcing societies
had engaged in bloody battles. Malhama Tactical with a more revolutionised war, and it will towards civil wars. India could
Violent separatists in Chechn- global outlook could potentially continue to pose a grave threat face terrorist threats on multi-
ya had engaged in two armed connect and facilitate terrorist in the foreseeable future. The ple fronts. For now, the due dil-
conflicts against the Russian organisations worldwide. appeal of global jihad and the igence of the counter-terrorism
state between 1994–1996 and The situation has become military and technological ad- agencies has curtailed the dra-
1999–2009. Additionally, Rus- considerably more challenging vancements have enabled swift matic upsurge of such attacks
sian soldiers have also come with the formation of the Tali- implementation of radical ideas and broadly eliminated poten-
under direct attacks while sup- ban-led government in Kabul. promulgated by Malhama Tacti- tial threats. Counter-terrorism
porting President al-Assad’s The turn of events could em- cal, which could possibly bolster agencies can closely monitor
counter-terrorism operations. bolden violent jihadist groups its consolidation as the predom- and seize the bitcoin transfers
In the recent past, Sergei like Malhama Tactical to follow inant jihadist for-hire group and via channels like Telegram to
Lavrov, the Russian Foreign suit—particularly in West Asia widen its reach. counter finance terrorism. The
Minister, has underscored the (primary base of operations) Furthermore, given the rap- states could also reverse en-
security dilemma his country and Central Asia (where the idly deteriorating situation in gineer the social media-based
faces should this event come to core fighters and trainers trace Afghanistan, it has become im- technology used by Malhama
pass—“There must be at least their origin to). These regions perative for India to overhaul its Tactical to neutralise its fighters
5,000-6,000 Russian-speaking could experience further insta- security and intelligence frame- and trainers.
militants (fighting in the Syrian bility and violence, more so in works in the event of potential
war). Their wives and children Russia. spillover of Malhama Tactical. Saman Ayesha Kidwai is
have started returning to Russia Additionally, jihadist groups Understandably, countries like Research Analyst at Manohar
and other CIS countries. The like the Islamic State and Pakistan or their proxy groups Parrikar Institute for Defence
chances are that once the mil- Al Qaeda have diminished like Jaish-e-Mohammed could Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.
itant groups are defeated, the in strength or fraught with independently use Malhama Views expressed are of
terrorists and members of these in-fighting and organisational fighters to undermine Indian
jihadist private military compa- issues. Yet, Malhama Tactical’s national interests using plausi- the author and do not necessarily
nies, set up with the assistance loosely organised structure and ble deniability. The victory of reflect the views of the Manohar
of Russia’s enemies, will follow absence of similar complexities the Taliban has rejuvenated the Parrikar IDSA or of the
Government of India.
the women and children.” have become a fertile ground jihadist ambitions, including
His fears are not unfound- for defecting terrorists to join in Kashmir, where the Indian This is the abridged version of the
ed. Ali al-Shishani, the current its ranks. They would bring re- state has frequently engaged in article which appeared first in the
leader of Malhama Tactical, sources, expertise and connec- counter-terrorism operations. Comment section of the website
has called for a “new page” to tions to collectively engage in The website of Malha- (www.idsa.in) of Manohar
be opened in the Chechen war global jihad and boost its numer- ma Tactical is easily accessible Parrikar Institute for Defense
while mentioning the group’s ical strength. This has resulted for those seeking information Studies and Analyses, New Delhi
links with the Chechen muja- in a quagmire for counter-ter- about this organisation or to di- on October 14, 2021

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