Suicide Attacks

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Suicide Attacks
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May 21, 1991

• Assassination of PM Rajiv Gandhi by LTTE bomber,
  Thenmuli Rajaratnam alias Dhanu

3

• US Embassy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
• August 7, 1998

4
London, July 7, 2005
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Trends in Suicide Attacks

• John Wigle, Introducing the Worldwide Incidents
  Tracking System (WITS), Perspectives on
  Terrorism, Volume IV, Issue at
  www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php?optioncom_
  rokzineviewarticleid104

6
Attacks and Casualties (all types, excluding
Iraq and Afghanistan)

• John Wigle, Introducing the Worldwide Incidents
  Tracking System (WITS), Perspectives on
  Terrorism, Volume IV, Issue at
  www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php?optioncom_
  rokzineviewarticleid104

7
Suicide Attacks and Casualties (excluding Iraq
and Afghanistan)

• John Wigle, Introducing the Worldwide Incidents
  Tracking System (WITS), Perspectives on
  Terrorism, Volume IV, Issue at
  www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php?optioncom_
  rokzineviewarticleid104

8
Non-Suicide Attacks and Casualties (excluding
Iraq and Afghanistan)

• John Wigle, Introducing the Worldwide Incidents
  Tracking System (WITS), Perspectives on
  Terrorism, Volume IV, Issue at
  www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php?optioncom_
  rokzineviewarticleid104

9
Why Suicide Attacks?

• Martyrdom or heroism
• Revenge
• Tactical Response
• Precision Targeting and Efficiency
• Brainwashing
• Strategic Response
• Money
• It works
• Deterrence and Response