Why in News?

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched India’s first comprehensive National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy called “PRAHAAR”.
  • It marks a shift from a reactive approach (after attack) to a proactive, intelligence-driven approach (preventing attacks before they happen).

WHAT IS PRAHAAR?

PRAHAAR is an acronym. Each letter represents a pillar of the strategy:
  • P – Prevention of terror attacks
  • R – Response (swift and proportionate action)
  • A – Aggregating capacities (whole-of-government approach)
  • H – Human rights and Rule of Law
  • A – Attenuating radicalisation
  • A – Aligning international efforts
  • R – Recovery and resilience
It follows a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society approach.

KEY PILLARS OF PRAHAAR

1. Prevention India will adopt a proactive and intelligence-led system. Important mechanisms
  • Multi Agency Centre (MAC)
  • Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI)

Focus areas:

  • Prevent misuse of Internet and Social Media
  • Break Over-Ground Worker (OGW) networks
  • Stop Terror Funding
  • Use Advanced Border Technologies
  • Protect Critical Infrastructure (Power, Railways, Aviation, Ports, Defence, Space, Atomic Energy)
2. Response
  • Local Police as first responders
  • Support from State Counter-Terror Forces and CAPFs
  • National Security Guard (NSG) for major attacks
  • National Investigation Agency (NIA) for investigation and prosecution
Goal: Swift action and strong legal deterrence. 3. Aggregating Capacities Focus on:
  • Modern weapons and technology
  • Standardised Anti-Terror Structure
  • Advanced training by BPR&D, CAPFs, and NSG
Aim: Better Inter-Agency Coordination and uniform capacity across states. 4. HUMAN RIGHTS & RULE OF LAW The strategy balances National Security with Fundamental Rights. Legal framework includes:
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  • Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
  • Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002
  • Arms Act, 1959
Ensures:
  • Judicial Oversight
  • Due Process
  • Right to Appeal
5. ATTENUATING RADICALISATION A Soft-Power Approach to address root causes. Focus on
  • Role of Community Leaders and NGOs
  • De-radicalisation Framework
  • Rehabilitation of vulnerable youth
  • Action against hardcore elements
  • Prevent Prison Radicalisation
  • Promote Socio-Economic Empowerment
6. ALIGNING INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS Terrorism is Transnational in nature. India will use:
  • Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs)
  • Extradition Treaties
  • Joint Working Groups (JWGs)
  • Cooperation at United Nations (UN)
Goal: Deny Safe Havens to terrorists. 7. RECOVERY & RESILIENCE Adopts a Whole-of-Society Approach.
  • Strong Public-Private Partnership
  • Rapid restoration after attack
  • Build long-term Community Resilience

EMERGING TERROR THREATS

  • State-Sponsored Cross-Border Terrorism
  • Influence of ISIS and Al-Qaeda
  • Drone-Based Attacks (Punjab, J&K)
  • Criminal-Terror Nexus
  • Misuse of Social Media and Dark Web
  • Cryptocurrency Financing
  • Cyber Attacks on critical systems
  • CBRNED Threats (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive, Digital)

IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

1. Federal Issues
  • “Police” and “Public Order” are State List subjects.
  • Possible Centre-State Coordination issues.
2. Capacity Gaps
  • Local police may lack advanced cyber training.
  • Financial constraints for states.
3. Subjectivity in De-radicalisation
  • Measuring radicalisation is psychological and complex.
  • Risk of profiling or misuse.
4. Legal Concerns
  • Low conviction rates under strict laws.
  • Long Pre-Trial Detentions.
5. Inter-Agency Silos
  • Need for seamless Real-Time Intelligence Sharing.
6. Measures to Strengthen PRAHAAR
  • Improve Intelligence Sharing Mechanisms
  • Upgrade State ATS and Counter-Terror Units
  • Use AI, Big Data and Machine Learning
  • Track Crypto-Based Terror Funding
  • Amend IT Rules to control extremist content
  • Create Specialised Federal Prosecutors
  • Fast-track International Digital Evidence Sharing