A group of terrorists that operate together. The members of a cell will usually all know each other, but will not necessarily know anyone outside the cell. The leader of the cell will have some channel to communicate to and from higher headquarters.

A terrorist cell is usually organized around the accomplishment of a specific type of mission. Some cells may be organized around suicide missions, while others may be planting explosive devices. The size of a cell is chosen as a tradeoff between security (smaller cells means fewer harmed by a compromise) and effectiveness (larger cells can get more done).

Terrorist cells need less two-way interconnectivity than resistance cells need, and are more likely to have a strict reporting hierarchy.