Introduction Terrorism is a criminal act that influences an audience beyond the immediate victim. The strategy of terrorists is to commit acts of violence that draws the attention of the local populace, the government and the world to their cause. The terrorists plan their attack to obtain the greatest publicity, choosing targets that symbolise what they oppose. The effectiveness of the terrorist act lies not in the act itself, but in the public's or government's reaction to the act.
Terrorism has become a global threat and needs to be controlled from the root level to the international level. Governments throughout the world are realising that terrorism is a serious threat. The bombing of the World Trade Centre in 2001 was one of the deadliest terrorist episodes in the world.
There are various types of terrorism nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) terrorism. Different types of terrorism have been defined by lawmakers, security professionals and scholars. Types differ according to the kind of attack agents an attacker uses or employs.
Terrorists use nuclear, biological and chemical weapons which are rightly called weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Designed to terrify as well as destroy, they have the potential to kill thousands of people in a single attack, and their effects may remain in the environment and in our bodies for a long time and in some cases, indefinitely.
Heyer (2006) discussed in detail on the nuclear and radioactive weapons, biological weapons and chemical weapons. With proper awareness and preparedness, we can save lives and reduce the impact of any potential terrorist attack.
Nuclear terrorism refers to a number of different ways nuclear materials might be exploited as a terrorist tactic. These include attacking nuclear facilities, purchasing nuclear weapons or building nuclear weapons or otherwise finding ways to disperse radioactive materials. Nuclear kills by the effects of heat, blast, radiation and radioactive fallout.
(a) Nuclear Terrorism
The attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during
World War II killed an estimated 200,000 people, virtually all civilians. The
nuclear weapons in one strategic submarine have a combined explosive force
several times greater than all the conventional bombs dropped in World War
II.
(b) Biological Terrorism or Bioterrorism
Biological terrorism or Bioterrorism refers to
the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents to harm and terrorise
civilians.
Some (e.g. botulinum toxin) are lethal even in microscopic amounts.
The United States Centre for Disease Control has classified the viruses, bacteria and toxins that could be used in an attack. Category A Biological Diseases are those likely to do the most damage. They include:
(a) Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis);
(b) Botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin);
(c) The Plague (Yersinia pestis);
(d) Smallpox (Variola major);
(e) Tularemia (Francisella tularensis); and
(f) Hemorrahagic fever, due to Ebola Virus or Marburg Virus.
(c) Chemical Terrorism
Chemical terrorism refers to the terrorism that
uses the toxic effects of chemicals to kill, injure or otherwise adverely
affect the interests of its target.
Chemical agents fall into five classes:
(i) Nerve Agents
Disrupt nerve impulse transmissions.
(ii) Blister Agents
Cause severe burns to the eyes, skin and tissues of the respiratory tract.
(iii) Blood Agents
Interfere with the ability of blood to transport oxygen.
(iv) Choking Agents
Severely stress respiratory system tissues.
(v) Irritating Agents
Cause respiratory distress and tearing designed to incapacitate.
The consequences of a nuclear, biological and chemical attack could come in waves, played out over a period of months or years. The first impact would be immediate physical damage but the attacks would also have broad repercussions for the economy, for the nation's strategic position in world affairs and perhaps even for its ability to sustain itself as a strong democracy. There were quiet a
number of consequences due to the nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism or attack. Below is a list of consequences which are likely to happen:
(a) Massive Casualties
The first and most obvious effect of a nuclear, biological and chemical attack would be its destruction of human life. A more advanced biological weapon could kill or injure hundreds of thousands of people. A single nuclear weapon could easily kill over 100,000 people if detonated in a
densely populated urban area.
(b) Contamination
A nuclear, biological and chemical attack could contaminate a large area. Depending on the type of weapon used, the area immediately affected by the attack could be rendered uninhabitable for extended periods of time, requiring a costly and perhaps dangerous clean-up operation. A nuclear
weapon would also send radioactive waste into the atmosphere, affecting people for years to come. NBC contamination could raise the disease rates
and reduce the quality of life for a much larger population than that which
suffered the immediate effects of the weapon.
(c) Degraded Response Capabilities
The government personnel needed to conduct an effective operational response to a real nuclear, biological and chemical threat may themselves be unable to carry out their responsibilities, compounding the effects of an attack.
Significantly, to prevent a nuclear, biological and chemical terrorist attack, relevant ministries and agencies of a government should study and swiftly conclude on legislation aimed at providing the importance of preventing terrorism.
Self-Test/Trial
Questions
1. Explain the followings:
(a) Nuclear Attack
(b) Biological Attack
(c) Chemical Attack
2. Explain the terminology weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
3. What are the consequences of nuclear, biological and chemical attack
(a) Nuclear Attack
(b) Biological Attack
(c) Chemical Attack
2. Explain the terminology weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
3. What are the consequences of nuclear, biological and chemical attack
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