When the lone wolf terrorist had spread dead bodies on the road for 2 kilometers, did the trend of ‘dreaded wolf’ on Christmas come from America?

New Delhi: It is July 14, 2016, people gathered on the seashore in Nice city of France to celebrate Bastille Day marking the fall of monarchy and the establishment of democracy during the French Revolution. Then a mad Islamic State terrorist rammed a truck at a speed of 70 km per hour into the crowd immersed in celebration. he/she continued trampling people with his/her truck for about 2 kilometers. 84 people died and 50 were injured in this incident. Most of the people who participated in that celebration were foreigners who had come to watch. That incident was the worst of the lone wolf attacks.
Now eight years later, a similar attack has happened again at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, when a Saudi Arabian doctor drove his/her car into the crowd. There is news of two people being killed in this. 68 people have been injured in the attack. The attack took place when a large number of people had come to the German market for Christmas shopping. Know the theory and complete story behind the Lone Wolf Attack.

What is a lone wolf attack, what are its types?

According to the US Justice Department, a lone wolf attack or lone actor attack is a special type of mass murder, carried out on behalf of an individual in public. Such a person himself plans and executes this feat. In America, such attacks are usually carried out with guns. In some countries, cars or trucks are driven into a crowded market or crowd. Sometimes knives are also used.

Why are lone wolf attacks carried out?

According to several studies conducted in America, lone wolf actors or terrorists are committed due to personal grievances and desire for revenge. At the same time, some terrorists use it to create fear and influence the way people think. Most lone wolf attacks are carried out against Christianity or other religions.

Where does Lone Wolf come from, what is its meaning?

Lone wolf means ‘lonely wolf’. A wolf that has become separated from its pack or is excluded from the pack. But his/her habits have become more dangerous. This special term began to be used by American law enforcement agencies. The term lone actor or lone wolf is not a legal term or social science concept. These are, in fact, words coined by the media and fundamentalist political leaders.

How do lone wolf actors or terrorists work?

A lone wolf terrorist acts alone without direction from any outside group. There have been many shootings in America that were carried out without any involvement of robbery or gang. Lone actor terrorists are ideologically motivated. They have political or religious objectives. Lone wolf terrorists consider themselves part of larger groups and are sympathetic to them, but they are usually not active participants. Links between lone wolves and actual terrorist groups are informal and operate online. These individuals become radicalized through online and media outlets.

Lone wolf era in America for 50 years

American historian Richard Jensen says that the years between 1878–1934 were the era of anarchist terrorism. This should be considered the classic era of ‘lone wolf’ or leaderless terrorism. Anarchists rejected acts of planned violence as well as authoritarian, centralized control over anything else. Jensen states that hundreds of violent anarchist incidents occurred during this period, most of which were carried out by lone individuals or very small groups without any command structure or leaders.

Al Qaeda and Islamic State learned lone wolf attack from America

There have been more than 100 lone wolf attacks in America since 1940. Such attacks have increased every year since 2000. Lone wolf attackers, inspired by al-Qaeda and ISIS, tend to be younger and better educated than the far right. According to studies, lone wolves are inspired by members of organized terrorist groups. America’s Federal Investigation Agency i.e. FBI and San Diego Police had launched Operation Lone Wolf to investigate the activities of a very powerful man, Alex Curtis. Since then this name has become more popular.

This trend is also prevalent among right wing extremists in America

According to the Guardian, the modern concept of lone-wolf terrorism was developed by right-wing extremists in the US. In 1983, at a time when far-right organizations were coming under heavy pressure from the FBI. A white nationalist named Louis Beam published a manifesto. It called for ‘leaderless resistance’ to the American government.

For the first time, Islamic State had appealed for lone wolf attack.

Abu Mohammad Al Adnani, the spokesperson of the dreaded terrorist organization Islamic State, which is wreaking terror in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, had appealed for a lone wolf attack for the first time in September 2014. he/she had said that if you are unable to arrange IEDs or guns, then target America, France or their allies. Crush the heads of their citizens by attacking them with stones or attack them with knives or crush them with your car or throw them down from a high place or strangle them or kill them by poisoning them.

Lone wolf incidents are very rare in India

The 2017 Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train bombing incident was an example of lone wolf, in which a lone wolf terrorist had detonated an IED. The attacker had described himself as an ISIS supporter. However, this does not mean that such challenges do not exist. Given the way fanaticism is increasing, there is a need to remain alert.

These are the reasons for decreasing lone wolf attacks in India

Strong community ties: Indian society is very family and social group oriented, which makes it act like a bulwark against radical terrorists.
Vigilant Intelligence Network: India’s intelligence network and organizations like RAW and IB have done excellent work in infiltrating and monitoring groups even before they turn aggressive.
Aggressive Cyber ​​Tracking: The government’s proactive approach in cyber surveillance is to keep an eye on the possible online activities of groups. This helps to control such radicals.
Religious and cultural diversity: The multi-ethnic and multi-religious nature of India goes some way to protecting the country from too deep spread of fundamentalist ideas. Diversity serves as an antidote to fundamentalist ideas.