Unconventional Warfare in South Asia ― Shadow Warriors and Counterinsurgency

India is the world's tenth largest economy and possesses the world's fourth largest military. The subcontinent houses about one-fifth of the world's population and its inhabitants are divided into various tribes, clans and ethnic groups following four great religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam. Framing the debate using case studies from across the region as well as China, Afghanistan and Burma and using a wealth of primary and secondary sources this incisive volume takes a closer look at the organization and doctrines of the 'shadow armies' and the government forces which fight the former. Arranged in a thematic manner, each chapter critically asks; Why stateless marginal groups rebel? How do states attempt to suppress them? What are the consequences in the aftermath of the conflict especially in relation to conflict resolution and peace building? Unconventional Warfare in South Asia is a welcomed addition to the growing field of interest on civil wars and insurgencies in South Asia. An indispensable read which will allow us to better understand whether South Asia is witnessing a 'New War' and whether the twenty-first century belongs to the insurgents.

Scott Gates is Professor of Political Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Director of the Centre for the Study of Civil War at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in Norway. Kaushik Roy, Dr., is a Reader in the Department of History, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India and a Senior Researcher at the Centre for the Study of Civil War (CSCW) at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) in Norway.