Global Terrorism Index 2020: List of 10 worst-affected countries; India ranks 8th

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India is among the countries that were hit the hardest by the menace of terrorism in 2019, as per the Global Terrorism Index of 2020. Greater Middle-East continues to be the focal point of terrorism while South Asia suffered most fatalities as per the study that analyses the impact of terrorism across 163 countries amounting to over 99 percent of the global population: (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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10. The Philippines: The South-East Asian nation has been hit hard by terrorism owing mainly due to the Moro conflict that has pitted Islamists against the Manila-based central authority. (REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez)

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9. Democratic Republic of Congo: The rising influence of ISIS and its affiliate Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) is a source of concern for this African nation. (AP Photo/Jean-Marc Bouju, File)

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8. India: From religious fundamentalist groups especially Pakistan-based Islamists to disturbances caused by ultra-left wing outfits, India continues to face the challenges from terrorism.  (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

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7. Pakistan: The country has been a safe haven for radical elements often targeting its neighbouring nations of India and  Afghanistan. But many of these homegrown terror outfits have turned against their guardians leading to severe casualties in men and material. (PTI Photo)

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6. Yemen: The Yemeni civil war has evolved from a struggle for power into a violent conflict defined by tribal and ethnic lines. In addition, the role of foreign powers has worsened the situation turning it into a Sunni-Shia conflict.

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5. Somalia: The African nation continues to be a hot-bed for terrorism.

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4. Syria: The civil war in Syria has defined global politics in the last decade with the emergence of what is now called ISIS.

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3. Nigeria: The oil-rich African nation with its mixed Christian-Muslim population is slowly turning into another Lebanon. The tensions between the religious sects and rising tide of violence led by ISIS-affiliated Boko Haram may well lead to a civil war that tears up the nation. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

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2. Iraq: Since the fateful decision by then US President Bush to topple Saddam Hussein led Baathist regime, the oil-rich Arab nation has found itself a place without peace. From tribal militias to fundamentalists groups such as ISIS, the nation has been hit by one tragedy after another.  (REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki)

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1. Afghanistan: The landlocked nation has been a breeding ground for Islamic extremism since the day the US decided to support tribal warriors against the Soviet-supported regime in Kabul during the height of the cold war. And with the exit of US troops out of the country just months away things are unlikely to get any better. (REUTERS/Stringer)