This is what professor Richard English from Queens University, Belfast, said on Wednesday at a discussion on “How Terrorism Ends: The Case of the IRA” in the Jadavpur University.

A part of the Irish Studies International Research Initiative in his university, English said: “Despite the conflict of Northern Ireland, which is different from that of Israel and Palestine, one can still learn a lot from history.”

Northern Ireland experience tells that terrorism can never achieve the desired goals, it rather leaves behind sectarian divisions, he said.

Religious sentiments, historical and nationalist grievances usually trigger terrorism. But even though one terrorist organisation is dismantled, several paramilitary forces keep terrorism alive.

“The long conflict in Northern Ireland saw peace talks when IRA leaders recognised that violence does not lead to anywhere,” said the professor.

Nuclear terrorism is the biggest threat to today’s world. And a military response to terrorism is detrimental. There might be other advantages of toppling Saddam Hussain, but terrorism needs alternative solutions, said English.