India Unveils 'Prahaar': First National Counter-Terrorism Policy

India officially released its first comprehensive national counter-terrorism policy and strategy, named 'Prahaar', on Monday, February 23, 2026. This landmark policy, unveiled by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), is designed to provide a unified and proactive framework to address the evolving landscape of terrorist threats facing the nation. The policy marks a significant shift, as previous counter-terrorism efforts were often characterized as statute-based, agency-driven, and reactive rather than prevention-centric. The 'Prahaar' doctrine focuses on a multi-faceted approach to combat terrorism, highlighting threats ranging from cross-border terrorism and cyberattacks to the misuse of drones and emerging technologies. Key areas of concern include terror sponsored from across borders, with Jihadi terror outfits and their frontal organizations continuously plotting and executing attacks in India. The policy also specifically names global terror groups like Al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), noting their attempts to incite violence through sleeper cells and the conspiracies hatched by violent extremists operating from foreign countries. One of the central tenets of 'Prahaar' is a 'zero-tolerance' policy against terrorism, unequivocally stating that terrorism has no religion, nationality, or community, and violence cannot be justified under any circumstances. The policy explicitly clarifies that India does not link terrorism to any specific religion, ethnicity, nationality, or civilization. The strategic approach outlined in 'Prahaar' is proactive and intelligence-driven. It calls for real-time coordination through mechanisms like the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI). The policy aims to disrupt online recruitment and terror funding channels, recognizing the increasing reliance of terror groups on social media platforms, instant messaging applications, encryption tools, the dark web, and crypto wallets for propaganda, funding, and operational guidance. Furthermore, 'Prahaar' emphasizes strengthening India's internal capacities by modernizing training, upgrading technology, and standardizing procedures for security and law enforcement agencies across the country. It also seeks to bolster state-level counter-terror units to ensure a coordinated national response. The policy document highlights the need to secure critical sectors of the economy, including power, railways, aviation, ports, defense, space, and atomic energy, against both state and non-state actors. A significant component of 'Prahaar' is its focus on prevention, particularly through community engagement and de-radicalization efforts. It underscores the importance of working with community and religious leaders, as well as non-governmental organizations, to raise awareness about the adverse consequences of radicalization and extremist violence. Youth engagement is identified as a key pillar, aiming to constructively involve young people to address issues threatening peace and communal harmony. The policy also acknowledges the challenge of radicalization within prisons and mandates periodic cautioning of prison staff to prevent hardened inmates from influencing vulnerable prisoners. The policy also addresses specific vulnerabilities such as the misuse of open borders, particularly with Nepal, for infiltration and terror-related activities. It also mentions concerns regarding foreign-funded conversion networks that contribute to radicalization. Internationally, 'Prahaar' reinforces India's commitment to global cooperation and collaboration in countering terrorism. It aims to build consensus on the understanding of terrorism and the rights of victims, advocating for a comprehensive framework on international terrorism. India will continue its efforts with the international community to counter the global challenge of misusing Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for terrorist purposes. In essence, 'Prahaar' provides a holistic blueprint for India's fight against terrorism, consolidating various aspects into a cohesive national strategy. Its release signifies a proactive and unified approach to safeguard national security and combat evolving terror threats effectively.

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