Extremism comes to fore in various formats, depending upon the underlying causes. Ethnic and cultural conflicts have historically played a significant role in brewing and blooming extremist attitudes. Religious appeal makes the extremism very potent. Society and state need to be on perpetual watch for discerning the emergence of extremism. Even during periods of social tranquillity, one has to watch out for the indicators of extremism in their incubation phase. Society at large has to overtly adopt an anti-extremism attitude to keep the perpetrators of extremism marginalised through anticipatory measures. State has to follow a comprehensive strategy to ward off manifestations of extremism in short- as well as long-term perspective. Eradication of extremism is a tall order; it requires a mammoth effort encompassing a multi-discipline and multi-dimensional approach. Within the overall broad contours of a typical counter-extremism strategy, five phases operate in mutually complementary way. These are prevention, containment, curtailment, elimination and consolidation phases; encompassing immediate, short, medium and long term objectives. These phases need to be meticulously formulated and set into motion in various combinations, on case to case basis. In chronic situations, like our present day state of affairs, first four need simultaneous employment, and are required to be kept on fast track, for a fairly long span of time. Likewise, consolidation would also be a long haul. Preventive phase is an all pervasive and perpetual phase. It continues to make supplementary contributions even when other phases are functional. Prevention comprises of monitoring the factors that could contribute towards extremism, and keeping the proliferation and effects of these factors below the boiling point. Some of these indicators are, opportunist rabble rousers, hate literature, larger than life appeal of intellectually dishonest demagogues, charisma of clergy based agitators, unfair socio-economic indicators that reinforce class strata and entailing polarisation, hatred promoting customs and traditions, exclusive claim to self-righteousness etc. Such indicators need to be managed through indoctrination, statutory measures and constructive social engagements. If this phase is well managed then half the battle is won against the extremism. Unfortunately, we did not put in due effort in this phase despite glaring indicators. Containment phase comes into play when preventive measures are unable to keep the things under control and brewing extremism finds occasional manifestation in the form of brawls and riots. Preventive threshold is breached when protectionism on the basis of ethnicity and sectarian alignments becomes an accepted norm and group preferences begin to take precedence over merit and efficiency. Moreover, when economic disorder divides the population into haves and have-not groups, the stage is set for the extremism's materialisation in various forms of militancy. Starting point could be in the form of sharp rise in street crimes, or targeted attacks against the persons or property of a particular ethnic or sectarian group. Containment effort focuses on isolating the ideologically committed extremists through active interventions like legal penalties, social pressures and corrective dialogue etc. It may also include occasional use of force to prevent emergence of serious law and order situations. However, mainstay of containment phase is positive engagement through constructive dialogue with the moderate majority. A proficient containment strategy ensures that public opinion is not swayed in the favour of extremist elements. Side by side, non-compromising elements are taken on boldly, through tactical use of force, on as required basis. Appropriate media policy is formulated to ensure that public at large is made aware of the consequences of potential hazard. A campaign must start to de-glorify the extremist elements. Influential communicators drawn out of mainstream ethnic groups and clergy can reinforce the effects of containment measures, by putting across the facts to the general public, in correct perspective. Curtailment phase concentrates on interventionist measures by isolating the extremist elements from general public. It determines further classification of extremists in the categories of ideologically committed hardened elements and those who are being exploited emotionally, or economically. Then, effort is made to reclaim the latter category through de-indoctrination and incentives. This phase essentially focuses on the economic needs of soft extremists, who desire to breakaway from the hardened cells. Through capacity and capability enhancement, these returnees are made capable of leading an economically and socially viable life. This is an investment intensive phase and it must start right away as the signs of brewing extremism become discernible. Elimination phase carries forth the effort of curtailment phase and eradicates positively identified hardened cells of extremists through proportionate use of military power. This is the actual combat phase, with military instrument in the forefront, and other mechanisms in supportive roles. Due care must be taken to ensure that this phase does not end up into a protracted stalemate. If this phase is not managed well through use of low yield and precision munitions, brute use of force may produce more extremists than what it is able to eliminate. Generally, this phase runs concurrently with the preceding phases. Meaningful political process must also go on in simultaneity. Consolidation phase capitalises on the gains of elimination phase. Its prime objective is to convert an uneasy calm into permanent tranquillity. Disorganised cells of extremists are destroyed through a well executed mopping up operation. It focuses on establishing appropriate institutional checks so that the elements which breakaway from the extremist gangs do not relapse due to residual contributory factors. Benchmark for end of this phase is the time when extremists lose public sympathy and are reduced in capacity to an extent that they can neither regroup and reconstitute nor make revisits. During this phase, military instrument goes into background while maintaining an effective deterrence. To complete the cyclic process, preventive phase resumes the charge to capitalise on gains of all previous phases. Going wiser by the learnt lessons, political leadership strives to ensue that there are no relapses. This is done by adhering to the understandings reached with the converted elements, and by blocking the resurfacing of previous contributory causes. The whole process needs careful execution by taking into consideration the local socio-cultural sensitivities; lest the extremist breeding restarts The writer is a retired Air Commodore E-mail: khalid3408@gmail.com