Counter-terrorism facts for kids

Suspected pirates keep their hands up.

Counter-terrorism, also spelled as counterterrorism, is work to prevent and fight against terrorism. Counter-terrorism is usually done by governments, militaries, paramilitaries, police forces, and special counter-terrorism units.

There are many different ways to do counter-terrorism. An important goal is to stop terrorism before it happens. This is done by trying to find out about plans to commit terrorism. If the plan is discovered, sometimes the terrorists can be arrested or security can be sent to protect the target of the terrorism.

Sometimes no one finds out about the terrorist plot until it starts to happen. When this happens, police or counter-terrorist soldiers may be sent to try and stop the terrorists from completing the plan, which usually leads to combat.

Images for kids

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  Yamam, one of Israel's counter-terrorism units.

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  Special Branch detectives on an undercover operation at the London Docks, 1911.

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  Shayetet 13, the Israeli naval special forces.

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  U.S. Marines in Afghanistan

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  Royal Malaysia Police Pasukan Gerakan Khas officers

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  Transparent garbage bin installed at Central station in Sydney so police can check its contents

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  Hostage Rescue Team agents

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  Assault car of the French GIGN.

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  SEK members of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) during an exercise