Terrorism is now an omnipresent menace that recognizes no international boundaries, respects no international laws and does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants. Terrorism has many forms but the most dangerous manifestation of terrorism has been in the shape of Jehadi terrorism, which is a global phenomenon and has the resources and the will to attack targets around the globe. Terrorism does not follow conventions or rules applicable to conventional warfare but uses force with devastating affect through surrogates and dedicated adherents as witnessed during the events of 9/11. Hilke Tromp, well-known Dutch political scientist, believes that surrogate terrorism is a ?third world war which has assumed the completely unexpected form of? ?protracted? warfare by terrorist methods? Donald J. Hanle has called terrorism the newest face of warfare.

�The IPCS Topical Series 3 is an interesting collection of ideas and reflections on Post 9/11 events. This volume covers a variety of views that highlight various facets of terrorism ranging from terrorism at sea, land and air to weapons of mass destruction and cyber terrorism. The volume has been divided into four distinct segments, the first one provides an overview of post 9/11 terrorism, and deals with general topics and contains reflections of several authors on the challenges of terrorism although they are not necessarily connected with each other. The second segment deals with the WTC attacks and its aftermath. It contains short articles ranging from America?s anti-terrorist policies to Jehad against America. The third segment called- Religion, Fundamentalism and Terrorism mainly contains articles on Islamic fundamentalism and its affects. Other segments discuss weapons of mass destruction, suicide terrorism, tools and profiles of terror. Appendices contain useful information on existing international and regional conventions on terrorism. Most articles are short and readable but with little in depth analysis.

��� The collective views of the authors do create vivid images of the post 9/11 scenarios and establish the fact that post 9/11 has marked the beginning of an era in which counter- terrorism would have the highest priority. South Asia continues to be home to several hues of terrorist organizations but the means to defeat terrorism in its various forms are yet to be evolved by the regional or the international community. Kashmir and Sri Lanka have continued to simmer in the�� fire of terrorism due to lack of international focus on South Asian terrorism. The ?Series? gives the appearance of a reference book on various aspects of terrorism.

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Pakistan?s role as a supporter of terrorism its turn about in war against terrorism and its affects have been clearly brought out by Prof Chintamani Maharpatra, however, the conclusions drawn by him seem to be somewhat subjective. �The observations regarding American policies and military options in this volume are a bit out of date, as the war against terror has moved in a new phase after the American invasion of Iraq. Events of 9/11 have no doubt radically changed the international security environment but whether they increased or merely exposed the hidden threat of the global terrorist groups is a moot point. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have been defeated and dispersed around the globe but the threat of Jehadi terror still looms large. Pakistan?s role in sheltering al-Qaeda cadres is gradually being exposed to the world. A far as India is concerned the threat has neither enhanced nor is likely to diminish, as long as Pakistan continues to support and sponsor terrorism India will have to remain on high alert.

�The danger of use of WMD by terrorist groups and the resources and constraints have been discussed in fair detail, the possibility of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons being passed on to the terrorist at some stage will continue to pose a threat to the entire South Asian region unless a cooperative approach to prevent CBRN related activities is adopted in South Asia. �The discussion on suicide terrorism (section 5) tends to be academic. Suicide bombers are no longer drawn from abnormal individuals, and normal individuals now commit these acts to further the causes dear to them or their community. Fidayeens and suicide bombers are not quite the same, Fidayeens are ready to die to achieve their aims but do not plan to die in the process or blow themselves up, they would rather like to get away to fight another day, in one of the articles, the Fidayeens have been equated with suicide squads (Suba Chandran) and that gives a wrong impression of the original Fidayeen movement.

���� In view of the varied forms terrorism has assumed in this century, it can be considered as a kind of special warfare and the term war used for terrorism no longer appears excessive (War against Terrorism, P.R Chari). Although one would agree with Mr. Chari that ?war has a precise connotation in international laws?, one has to concede that terrorism and counter-terrorism both have assumed the shape of a war after 9/ 11 and both do not necessarily follow conventional international laws. � 9/11 was a turning point because it brought an entirely new world order into being and South Asia was first to be effected by this change because the US war on terrorism was initiated in this region. South Asia had been the focus of Jihadi terrorism for a long time and India has been its main target. No cause, however just, can justify acts of�� terrorism that target women and children, taking of innocent lives cannot be justified under any pretext be it political or religious. These aspects have been rightly emphasized�� in many essays in this volume.

��� Most essays in this volume focus on the dangers of terrorism and the modus operandi of the terrorist groups but the measures required to curb terrorism have not been elaborated upon, warnings do not constitute constructive suggestions. Appropriate response to�� Pakistan sponsored terrorism is yet to be found by India and our thinkers need to focus on this aspect. The economic dimensions of the war against terrorism have not been adequately covered in this volume.