Home Ministry unveils India’s first national counter-terror framework ‘PRAHAAR'

The Ministry of Home Affairs MHA on Monday unveiled Indiarsquos first National CounterTerrorism Policy and Strategy titled lsquoPRAHAARrsquo marking a significant step in the countryrsquos efforts to combat terrorism in all its formsThe comprehensive policy establishes a structured national framework to address evolving security threats including crossborder terrorism dronebased attacks cyberenabled risks and organised terror networks news agency IANS reportedThe eightpage document made publicly available on the MHA website formalises a unified and institutionalised approach to counterterror operations that India has followed over the years amid increasingly complex threatsReiterating the governmentrsquos zerotolerance stance the policy states that terrorism cannot be justified under any pretext and rejects attempts to link terror with any religion ethnicity nationality or civilisation IANS reported It also emphasises support for victims and strict adherence to human rights and the rule of lawThe strategy adopts a multilayered approach focusing on prevention swift and proportionate response enhanced interagency coordination and accountability through established legal and judicial processesThe term lsquoPRAHAARrsquo meaning ldquostrikerdquo represents seven core pillars prevention of terrorist attacks swift and proportionate response capacitybuilding across security and intelligence agencies ensuring human rightscompliant operations addressing conditions conducive to radicalisation strengthening international cooperation and promoting societal resilience and recovery IANS reportedPolicy flags crossborder terror drone and cyber threatsThe threat assessment section highlights persistent and emerging challenges to Indiarsquos security architecture Crossborder terrorism remains a major concern with extremist groups attempting to activate sleeper cells and incite violence Global outfits such as AlQaeda and ISIS are cited as continuing efforts to influence or inspire attacksThe document also flags the growing use of advanced technologies by terror handlers including drones in sensitive regions such as Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir It notes increasing convergence between terror networks and organised crime groups that facilitate logistics recruitment and financingDigital platforms have become key enablers for terrorist activities enabling anonymous communication through social media encrypted messaging applications dark web platforms and cryptocurrencies for propaganda recruitment and operational coordinationThe policy also raises concerns over attempts to access chemical biological radiological nuclear explosive and cyber capabilities along with rising cyber intrusions by nonstate actors and hostile entitiesPrevention remains central to the framework with emphasis on intelligenceled operations and coordinated surveillance Institutions such as the MultiAgency Centre and the Joint Task Force on Intelligence will serve as core nodes for realtime intelligence sharing and threat assessmentSecurity agencies are tasked with dismantling terror support ecosystems including overground worker networks illegal arms supply chains and terror financing channels Border management will be strengthened through advanced surveillance and detection technologies across land maritime and aerial domainsFocus on infrastructure security and rapid responseCritical infrastructure mdash including power plants railways aviation networks ports defence installations space assets and atomic energy facilities mdash will receive enhanced protectionUnder the response mechanism local police will act as first responders supported by specialised state counterterror units and elite national forces such as the National Security Guard for major operations The National Investigation Agency NIA will lead investigations into terrorrelated offences focusing on effective prosecution and high conviction ratesThe policy also calls for modernisation of equipment training and infrastructure standardisation of counterterror mechanisms across states and bridging operational gapsAddressing radicalisation the framework outlines community engagement initiatives outreach through civil society and religious leaders youth programmes prison monitoring and socioeconomic interventions aimed at reducing vulnerabilityAt the international level India will strengthen intelligencesharing arrangements pursue extradition of terror suspects and continue efforts at the United Nations to designate terrorist entities and deny safe havensDescribed by officials as a dynamic and forwardlooking framework lsquoPRAHAARrsquo adopts a wholeofgovernment and wholeofsociety approach to dismantle terror ecosystems safeguard national security and enhance longterm resilienceWith IANS inputs