Book excerpt: One Of The Debated Aspects Of The Study Of Terrorism Over Last Few Years Has Been The Likelihood Of Using Weapons Of Mass Destruction (Wmd) By Terrorists. A Rash Of Terrorist Spectaculars, Pushing As Never Before The Possibility Of Wmd Use By Non-State Actors Into The Spotlight, Has Brought The Immediacy Of The Question Home. Aum Shinrikyo'S Sarin Gas Attack On The Tokyo Subway In March 1995 Represented The First Large-Scale Use Of Mass-Casualty Weapons By A Non-State Actor For The Express Purpose Of Causing Large Numbers Of Deaths And Injuries. These Attacks Make The Question Of Potential Use Of Wmd By Terrorists An Important And Timely One, Especially When Considered In The Light Of The Explosion In Information Technology Availability And Growing Concerns Over Proliferation And Material Control Issues. The Level Of Physical Destruction, Injury And Loss Of Life From These Weapons Is So Great That The Potential For Acquisition And Use By Terrorists Warrants Serious Consideration.(Published In Collaboration With Usi, New Delhi)