Five countries faced 55% terror attacks in 2015, and India is one of them

A US official has told reporters that more than half of all the terrorist attacks that shook the world in 2015 targeted merely five countries, viz India, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Nigeria. The figures are based on the data compiled by the University of Maryland.

"More than 55 percent of all attacks took place in five countries, India, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Nigeria," said Justin Siberell, Acting US Coordinator for Counterterrorism.

"And 74 percent of all deaths due to terrorist attacks took place in five countries, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Syria," he added.

A total of 92 countries faced terror attacks in 2015; however, geographically speaking, these attacks were heavily concentrated, just like they have been for the past several years.

"Total fatalities due to terrorist attacks decreased by 14 per cent, principally as a result of fewer attacks and deaths in Iraq, Pakistan, and Nigeria. This represents the first decline in total terrorist attacks and resulting fatalities worldwide since 2012," the official said.

"At the same time, there were several countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, where terrorist attacks and total deaths increased in 2015," he added.

Talking of the biggest threat in terms of terrorism, he added, "ISIL (ISIS) remains the greatest terrorism threat globally. Despite the losses it sustained last year. ISIL continued to occupy large areas of Iraq and Syria."

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