National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy – PRAHAAR

on











India’s new “National Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy – PRAHAAR” is a clear plan for how the country will stop terrorism, fight attacks (including cyber‑attacks), and help people recover, while respecting human rights and the Rule of Law.​

What is PRAHAAR?

  • PRAHAAR is India’s national “Counter-Terrorism Policy & Strategy”.​

  • It is based on zero tolerance towards terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and it does not link terrorism with any religion, ethnicity, nationality or civilization.​

  • Its goal is to protect Indian citizens and interests, both inside India and abroad.​

What threats does India face?

  • India has long faced sponsored terrorism from across the border, including jihadi terror outfits and their frontal organizations.​

  • Global groups like Al‑Qaeda and ISIS try to create sleeper cells and incite violence in India.​

  • Terrorists use drones, organized crime networks, social media, instant messaging, encryption, dark web and crypto wallets to plan, fund and guide attacks.​

  • Agencies are worried about terrorists using CBRNED (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive, Digital) materials, drones, robotics and cyber‑attacks against India.​

Seven main parts of PRAHAAR

  1. Prevention of terror attacks

    • India follows a pro‑active, “Intelligence‑Guided” approach to find threats early and stop them.​

    • The Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) share real‑time inputs with Central and State agencies.​

    • Police and agencies disrupt misuse of internet, online propaganda, recruitment, over ground workers (OGWs), illegal arms and terror funding networks.​

    • Borders on water, land and air, and critical sectors like power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space and atomic energy are specially protected.​

  2. Response

    • Local Police are the first responders, helped by special State counter‑terror forces and the National Security Guard (NSG).​

    • A Standard Operating Procedure of the Ministry of Home Affairs guides coordination after any attack.​

    • The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and State Police investigate cases to achieve high prosecution rates and deterrence.​

  3. Aggregating capacities

    • Security and Law Enforcement Agencies are modernized with better tools, technology, weaponry and training.​

    • Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), CAPFs and NSG train State Police and special CT units, especially for urban combat.​

  4. Human rights and ‘Rule of Law’ based processes

    • Anti‑terror laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and new criminal laws work under the ‘Rule of Law’ and give importance to human rights.​

    • The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and an independent judiciary from District Courts to the Supreme Court safeguard rights and provide remedies.​

  5. Attenuating the conditions conducive to terrorism

    • Agencies work to stop radicalization and violent extremism, especially among youth.​

    • Community and religious leaders, moderate preachers and NGOs spread awareness and support de‑radicalization, including inside prisons.​

    • Government schemes on education, housing, jobs, scholarships and loans for youth and women reduce the impact of poverty and unemployment.​

  6. Aligning and shaping the international efforts

    • India uses MLATs, Extradition Treaties/Arrangements, Joint Working Groups and MoUs for intelligence, evidence sharing and extradition of fugitives.​

    • India also pushes for UN designations of terrorists and shares best practices in various counter‑terrorism forums.​

  7. Recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach

    • A “whole-of-society” and public‑private partnership model supports quick recovery after attacks.​

    • Doctors, psychologists, lawyers, NGOs, religious and community leaders help victims and communities to heal and reintegrate, while administration rebuilds and police reassure people through stronger security.​

Cyber and the way ahead

  • India will continue to work with the international community to counter misuse of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for terrorist purposes.​

  • It will invest in technology and build partnerships with private enterprise to tackle new and futuristic terror threats, including cyber‑attacks and digital tools.​

Comments

Post a Comment