Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: A map in the Global Terrorism Index 2026 shows a map that appears to place parts of Jammu and Kashmir within China.The graphic, which charts terror activity across Pakistan and Afghanistan from 2007 to 2025, uses faint and generalised borders that blur distinctions in the wider region. As a result, areas of Jammu and Kashmir appear to merge with territory labeled as China.The 2026 Global Terrorism Index reports a sharp global decline in terrorism, with deaths falling 28% to 5,582 and attacks dropping nearly 22% in 2025 — the lowest levels in years. A record 81 countries saw improvements, and mass-casualty attacks were notably absent.However, the gains are uneven. Pakistan emerged as the most affected country, driven by a surge in attacks by TTP following the Taliban’s return in Afghanistan. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the global epicentre, accounting for over half of terrorism deaths, despite some declines in countries like Burkina Faso.India showed improvement, with a sharp drop in attacks, even as it remains among the most affected nations. Meanwhile, Western countries saw a rise in politically motivated and lone-actor attacks.The report cautions that worsening geopolitical tensions,including conflict in South Asia, instability in the Sahel, and renewed threats from groups like IS, could reverse recent gains, making the decline potentially short-lived.
