The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday officially released India’s first-ever anti-terror policy, named PRAHAAR, marking a historic step in the country’s national security architecture. The policy outlines a multi-pronged approach to tackling terrorism, highlighting threats from state and non-state actors, cross-border sponsors, and sophisticated cyber operations targeting critical sectors of the economy.
According to the document, India faces terrorist threats on all three fronts—land, air, and water—and has developed capacities to protect vital infrastructure, including power grids, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space, and atomic energy installations. The policy emphasizes that terrorism in India is not linked to any religion, ethnicity, nationality, or civilization, underscoring its stance against all forms of violent extremism.
PRAHAAR notes that India has long been a target of “sponsored terrorism” from across its borders, with jihadi outfits and their affiliates planning, coordinating, and executing attacks. It also cites global terrorist networks such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which attempt to incite violence within India through sleeper cells and online propaganda. The policy warns that foreign handlers are increasingly using drones, robotics, encrypted communication channels, crypto wallets, and the dark web to facilitate attacks, particularly in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
The policy also identifies organized criminal networks as partners in recruitment, logistics, and operational support for terrorist acts. Counter-terrorism agencies continue to face challenges in intercepting the misuse of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive, and digital (CBRNED) materials. Legal experts are to be involved at every stage of investigation, from the registration of FIRs to prosecution, ensuring a robust framework for holding perpetrators accountable.
PRAHAAR emphasizes the role of national, regional, and international cooperation in addressing transnational terrorism. The policy highlights efforts by Indian intelligence and law enforcement agencies to prevent the radicalization of youth, employing graded police responses, engagement with community and religious leaders, NGOs, and structured de-radicalization programs in prisons. It stresses proactive measures to involve youth constructively in maintaining communal harmony and preventing extremist influence.
By combining legal rigor, technological vigilance, community engagement, and cross-border intelligence collaboration, PRAHAAR represents India’s most comprehensive framework to date for countering terrorism in an increasingly complex and technologically advanced global security environment.
