India Unveils First National Counterterrorism Policy ‘PRAHAAR’ to Combat Rising Threats Across Borders and Cyberspace

India Unveils Comprehensive National Counterterrorism Policy Amid Rising Threats

The Indian government has officially released its inaugural National Counter Terrorism Policy, a multifaceted strategy designed to tackle the complex and evolving threat landscape facing the country. The policy, titled “PRAHAAR,” was issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and outlines a unified framework for addressing threats across various domains, including cross-border militancy, cyberattacks, and drone-enabled operations.

India’s Threat Landscape

The policy highlights the country’s vulnerability to threats from multiple fronts, including land, air, and water. It notes that capacities have been developed to safeguard critical sectors of the economy, such as power, railways, aviation, ports, defense, space, and atomic energy, from both state and non-state actors.

Community Engagement and De-Radicalization

A significant aspect of the policy focuses on community engagement and de-radicalization efforts. It emphasizes the role of community and religious leaders in spreading awareness about the adverse consequences of radicalization and extremist violence. The policy also underscores the importance of youth engagement, stating that young people must be constructively engaged to address issues threatening peace and communal harmony.

The policy acknowledges concerns about radicalization within prisons and calls for a graded police response to individuals identified as susceptible to extremist influence. It also recommends associating legal experts at every stage of investigation to build stronger cases against perpetrators of terrorism.

Cross-Border Networks and Global Links

The policy situates India’s security concerns within a broader transnational landscape, highlighting the need for international and regional cooperation to address the “transnational terrorism challenge.” It notes that terrorist groups based outside the country increasingly rely on local infrastructure, logistics networks, and knowledge of terrain to launch attacks.

The document refers to global terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), stating that India has been a target of such groups. It adds that violent extremists operating from foreign countries have conspired to promote terrorism within India.

Technology, Cyber Threats, and Emerging Risks

The policy emphasizes the evolving technological landscape of terrorism, highlighting the use of drones, social media platforms, and instant messaging applications by terrorist groups for propaganda, communication, funding, and operational guidance. It also notes the growing challenge posed by the misuse of emerging technologies, including encryption, the dark web, and crypto wallets.

The ministry identifies the threat posed by CBRNED materials and notes that disrupting or intercepting efforts to access and deploy such materials remains a concern. It also flags the potential misuse of drones and robotics by both state and non-state actors for lethal purposes.

Cyberattacks are also acknowledged as an expanding domain of risk, with the policy stating that criminal hackers and nation-states continue to target India through cyber operations. The need to protect critical infrastructure in an increasingly digitized economy is underscored.

Overall Strategy

Overall, the National Counter Terrorism Policy provides a comprehensive framework for addressing the complex and evolving threat landscape facing India. Its emphasis on community engagement, de-radicalization, and technological innovation underscores the government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of terrorism and ensuring the country’s security in the face of rising threats.

Note that I did not include the title in a `