New Delhi — Social media platforms are increasingly being exploited by extremist organisations to radicalise individuals and coordinate attacks across the Indian subcontinent, according to a report published by Eurasia Review.
The report, titled “Weaponisation of Social Media Platforms for Radicalisation: A Threat Looming Large in the Indian Subcontinent,” highlights how digital propaganda, encrypted communication tools and online psychological manipulation are being used to recruit and mobilise vulnerable individuals.
It cites incidents such as the Red Fort attack 2025 in India on November 10 and the Bondi Beach attack 2025 in Australia on December 14 as examples of how extremist networks are using social media platforms to incite violence.
According to the study, many attacks that appear to be carried out by lone individuals are often the result of organised online radicalisation campaigns. The report argues that such incidents are sometimes portrayed as “lone-wolf” attacks, whereas they may actually involve coordinated efforts through digital networks.
Researchers noted that terrorist groups frequently deploy fake news, propaganda and narrative warfare to influence susceptible individuals. These tactics are often used to manipulate people through ideological messaging linked to religion, political causes or extremist agendas.
The report also emphasises that modern terrorist groups are increasingly blending ideological motives with technological capabilities. It states that extremist organisations are leveraging advanced digital tools and social media networks to expand their reach and influence.
Due to their low cost, rapid communication and global connectivity, social media platforms have become powerful instruments for propaganda campaigns, recruitment drives and mobilisation of attacks, the report said. While social media may not always be the direct cause of terrorism, its enabling role in facilitating extremist activity is significant.
The study specifically highlights the continued digital presence of Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates. Despite losing territorial control in Iraq and Syria, the group has strengthened its online propaganda networks and shifted focus towards spreading ideological influence through digital platforms.
According to the report, extremist networks have also expanded their activities in South Asia, including India and Bangladesh, targeting vulnerable populations through secure communication channels.
It also mentioned Pakistan-based groups such as The Resistance Front and People’s Anti-Fascist Front as among those allegedly using social media platforms for propaganda purposes. The report further referred to networks linked to Jamaat-e-Islami and claimed that certain support structures were connected to Inter-Services Intelligence in Pakistan.
Investigators cited in the study found that individuals involved in the Red Fort incident had reportedly been radicalised through online platforms. The report described this emerging trend as a form of “white-collar terrorism,” noting that some perpetrators were well-educated individuals.
Encrypted communication services such as Threema were reportedly used by extremist networks due to features like end-to-end encryption, limited metadata storage and message deletion capabilities, which make forensic tracking more difficult.
The report also pointed to rising cyber-enabled extremist activity in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, where online recruitment campaigns and encrypted messaging platforms have been used to connect youths with militant groups.
Governments across the region have begun strengthening countermeasures against digital radicalisation. Countries including Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia have introduced stricter laws to curb online extremism.
In India, authorities reportedly blocked 9,845 URLs linked to extremist propaganda and radicalisation content in 2025 alone.
The report concludes that combating the growing threat of online radicalisation will require stronger cybersecurity frameworks and enhanced intelligence cooperation among countries to address cross-border digital terror networks.
With inputs from IANS