In News:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has unveiled ‘PRAHAAR’, India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy. This eight-page doctrine-level framework institutionalises a unified, intelligence-led and proactive approach to combat terrorism in all its forms. The policy formalises practices evolved over decades and responds to emerging hybrid threats such as drone-enabled attacks, cyber-terrorism, and transnational organised crime linkages.

Rationale and Context

India has faced persistent threats from cross-border terrorism, radical networks, and globally affiliated organisations such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS attempting to activate sleeper cells. The policy highlights:

• Cross-border terror networks and state-sponsored elements.
• Increasing use of drones in border states such as Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Growing nexus between terrorism and organised crime.
• Use of encrypted platforms, dark web, cryptocurrencies, and social media for recruitment, propaganda, and financing.
• Risks of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear (CBRN), explosive, and cyber capabilities.

Given regional instability and the existence of ungoverned spaces, PRAHAAR adopts a multi-layered strategy focused on prevention, rapid response, coordination, and resilience.

Core Philosophy

India reiterates its zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and rejects any attempt to associate terrorism with religion, ethnicity, nationality, or civilisation. The policy underscores strict adherence to human rights, rule of law, and due process under legislations such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and newly enacted criminal codes.

Seven Pillars of PRAHAAR

The acronym ‘PRAHAAR’ (meaning “strike”) represents seven core pillars:

1. Prevention – Intelligence-led disruption of terror plots and dismantling support ecosystems.
2. Response – Swift and proportionate operational action during incidents.
3. Aggregation of Capacities – Strengthening institutional coordination and standardisation across central and state agencies.
4. Human Rights Compliance – Ensuring lawful, accountable operations.
5. Attenuation of Radicalisation – Preventive outreach, community engagement, and de-radicalisation initiatives.
6. Aligning International Cooperation – Intelligence sharing, extradition, and support for UN designations of terrorist entities.
7. Recovery and Resilience – Victim support, infrastructure restoration, and societal resilience.

Institutional Mechanisms

The policy adopts a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

• Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) serve as nodal platforms for real-time intelligence sharing.
• Local police act as first responders, supported by specialised state units and national forces such as the National Security Guard (NSG).
• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) leads investigations to ensure effective prosecution and higher conviction rates.
• Standard operating procedures are to be harmonised across states to address operational gaps.

Technology-Centric and Proactive Approach

PRAHAAR shifts focus from reactive policing to pre-emptive disruption. It emphasises:

• Advanced border surveillance across land, maritime, and aerial domains.
• Protection of critical infrastructure—power plants, railways, aviation, ports, defence and space installations, and atomic energy facilities.
• Countering misuse of drones, encrypted messaging apps, cryptocurrency financing, and cyber intrusions.

Counter-Radicalisation and Social Engagement

Recognising radicalisation as a key enabler of terrorism, the policy proposes:

• Community outreach involving civil society and religious leaders.
• Youth engagement and socio-economic interventions.
• Prison monitoring and graded response mechanisms.

This integrates security responses with preventive social strategies.

International Dimension

India will strengthen bilateral and multilateral intelligence-sharing arrangements, pursue extradition of terror suspects, and advocate for comprehensive global counter-terror norms under the United Nations framework.