India First National Counter-Terrorism Policy Prahaar

India First National Counter-Terrorism Policy Prahaar

Why in News? 

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy “PRAHAAR”, focusing on seven pillars to address modern threats like drone warfare, cyber-terrorism, and dark web networks. 

What is India’s National Counter-Terrorism Policy ‘Prahaar’?

• About: Prahaar is a strategic and intelligence-guided national policy framework aimed at preventing, responding to and neutralising terrorist threats through coordinated institutional action, legal deterrence and technological modernisation.

• • Launched By: The doctrine was formally articulated and intensified under the leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), spearheaded by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. It aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of a “Terror-Free India” by 2047, moving away from reactive policing to a coordinated, technology-driven federal response.

• Strategic Meaning: The government defines PRAHAAR as the “Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism”. Each letter represents a core operational objective:

• • P – Prevention: Proactive disruption of terror attacks to protect Indian citizens and national interests.
  • R – Response: Implementing swift and proportionate military and police actions against threats.
  • A – Aggregation: Integrating internal capacities for a “Whole-of-Government” synergistic approach.
  • H – Human Rights: Ensuring all counter-terror operations remain anchored in the “Rule of Law” and constitutional safeguards.
  • A – Attenuation: Weakening the conditions that enable terrorism, specifically focusing on de-radicalisation.
  • A – Alignment: Shaping international cooperation and efforts to isolate state-sponsors of terror.
  • R – Recovery: Building societal resilience and recovery mechanisms through a “Whole-of-Society” approach.
• Primary Objectives: The policy aims to achieve total elimination of terror modules. Key objectives include:

• Establishing a unified command structure for seamless intelligence sharing.
• Cutting off the oxygen of terrorism—funding—through strict financial monitoring.
• Strengthening border security via technological surveillance (CIBMS).
• Ensuring a 100% conviction rate in terror-related cases through specialized legal frameworks. 

• Institutional Framework: The “Prahaar” strategy relies on a robust “Whole-of-Government” approach involving: 

• National Investigation Agency (NIA): The lead federal agency for terror-related crimes, now empowered to investigate cases abroad.
• NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid): A centralized data recovery unit linking 21 sets of databases for real-time tracking.
• Multi-Agency Centre (MAC): A 24/7 hub where 28 different agencies (state and central) share actionable intelligence.
• NSG Regional Hubs: Strategically placed “Black Cat” commando bases to reduce response time during urban attacks. 

• • Legal and Tactical Tools: The policy is backed by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which was amended in 2019 to allow the government to designate individuals as terrorists. 

• Key Focus Areas:

• Terror Funding: Utilizing the FIU (Financial Intelligence Unit) and ED (Enforcement Directorate) to freeze assets of proscribed organizations.
• Cyber-Terrorism: Countering online radicalization and the use of the Dark Web and encrypted communications for recruitment.
• LWE and Insurgency: Applying the ‘Prahaar’ model to Left-Wing Extremism zones, resulting in a 70% reduction in violence over the last decade.
• International Cooperation: Leveraging the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) to pressure state-sponsors of terror. 

What is the Necessity for a Formal National Counter-Terrorism Policy?

• Combatting Asymmetric Proxy Warfare: India’s geographic proximity to unstable regimes necessitates a doctrine that moves beyond strategic restraint. A national policy provides the mandate for “Hot Pursuit” and surgical strikes. Data indicates that since adopting a proactive stance, terrorist infiltration attempts across the LoC have seen a significant decline, dropping by nearly 43% between 2018 and 2023 due to coordinated multi-tier deployment. 
• Choking the Terror-Funding Pipeline: Terrorism cannot survive without illicit liquidity. The policy empowers the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to lead a multi-agency crackdown on Hawala and shell companies. Statistics show that the NIA’s focus on terror-funding cases has led to an impressive 94.1% conviction rate, with the seizure of assets worth over ₹1,500 crore in the last five years alone. 
• Neutralizing Lone Wolf and Cyber Threats: The rise of the “keyboard terrorist” requires a centralized Cyber-Command framework. With global groups like ISIS utilizing the Dark Web for recruitment, a national policy ensures that intelligence is not trapped in silos. The implementation of NATGRID (linking 21 data sets) has allowed for the identification of suspicious patterns, preventing dozens of “Lone Wolf” radicalization attempts before execution. 
• Reducing Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) Footprint: A coordinated national strategy is vital for the Red Corridor. Under the “Zero Tolerance” framework, the number of LWE-affected districts has shrunk from over 100 to just 45 in 2024. Violent incidents in these regions have plummeted by 77% compared to 2010 levels, proving that integrated central-state operations are the only way to reclaim sovereign territory. 
• Enhancing Inter-Agency Intelligence Synergy: Historically, “intelligence gaps” led to tragedies. A national policy mandates the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) to operate 24/7, sharing real-time data across 28 states. This synergy has shifted the focus from “post-blast investigation” to “pre-emptive disruption.” Hinterland terror incidents have remained at a near-zero level over the past five years due to this seamless information flow. 

India’s Counterterrorism Security Framework

• Legislative Mandate: The legal foundation rests on the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), specifically the 2019 Amendment, which empowers the state to designate individuals as terrorists. This is bolstered by the NIA Act, granting the National Investigation Agency federal jurisdiction to investigate terror crimes across state lines without prior state consent, ensuring a seamless judicial process.
• Intelligence Integration: To eliminate “intelligence silos,” the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) facilitates 24/7 real-time data sharing between 28 state agencies. Complementing this is NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid), a massive data-linkage project connecting 21 database categories—including banking and immigration—to track suspect footprints using Big Data analytics and AI. 
• Tactical Response: The National Security Guard (NSG), India’s elite “Black Cat” commandos, has moved from a centralized model to a decentralized deployment. With five regional hubs established in major metros, the framework ensures a near-zero response time for urban terror situations, neutralizing threats before they escalate into long-term sieges.
• Financial Choking: Cutting off the “oxygen of terrorism” is handled by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). They monitor Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and use the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) to freeze assets, significantly disrupting Hawala networks and cross-border funding pipelines.
• Maritime and Border Security: Following 26/11, India implemented a three-tier coastal security plan involving the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marine Police. On land, the Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) utilizes thermal imagers, aerostats, and laser fences to create a “smart wall” that detects and prevents infiltration in difficult terrains.
• Cyber and De-radicalization: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) acts as the vanguard against digital jihad. It monitors the Dark Web and encrypted platforms to counter online radicalization. This focus on the “virtual battleground” is crucial for identifying “Lone Wolf” actors. 
• International Cooperation: India leverages multilateral forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Quad to isolate state-sponsors of terror. By pushing for a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN, India ensures its internal framework is supported by a global diplomatic offensive.