PRAHAAR: India’s First National Anti-Terror Policy

 

PRAHAAR: India’s First National Anti-Terror Policy 

The Union Home Ministry’s release of PRAHAAR, India’s first-ever comprehensive anti-terror policy, marks a significant evolution in the country’s national security doctrine. The policy recognises that threats today extend beyond traditional cross-border terrorism to include cyber-attacks, drones, and hybrid warfare tactics.

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📜 Historical Background: Evolution of India’s Counter-Terror Framework

India’s approach to terrorism has developed in response to decades of security challenges:

🔹 1980s–1990s: Rise of Internal Security Threats

• Insurgency in Punjab

• Militancy in Jammu & Kashmir

• North-East insurgencies

Legislative Responses:

• TADA (1985) → Lapsed due to misuse concerns

• POTA (2002) → Repealed in 2004

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🔹 Post-1999: Kargil & Institutional Reforms

• Kargil conflict exposed intelligence & coordination gaps

• Creation of:

  • Multi-Agency Centre (MAC)

  • Strengthened intelligence sharing

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🔹 Post-2008 Mumbai Attacks

Key Reforms:

• Establishment of National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• Strengthening of coastal security

• Expansion of NSG hubs

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🔹 2010s–2020s: Hybrid & Tech-Driven Threats

• Lone-wolf attacks

• Radicalisation via internet

• Use of encrypted apps

• Emergence of drone-based smuggling & attacks

• Increasing cyber-terror capabilities

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🚨 Why PRAHAAR Matters

PRAHAAR signals a shift from reactive responses → strategic, doctrine-based counter-terrorism.

Key Recognition:

✔ Terror threats across water, land, air

✔ Cyber domain as a critical battleground

✔ Role of state & non-state actors

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🌐 Expanding Threat Landscape

1️⃣ Cross-Border Sponsored Terrorism

• Persistent infiltration attempts

• Use of proxies & sleeper cells

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2️⃣ Drone-Enabled Terrorism

Concerns:

• Arms & narcotics drops

• Surveillance

• Low-cost asymmetric warfare

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3️⃣ Cyber-Terror & Criminal Hackers

• Attacks on:
  ✔ Power grids
  ✔ Financial systems
  ✔ Critical infrastructure

Actors Identified:

• Nation-states

• Criminal hacker networks

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4️⃣ Terror–Crime Nexus

• Organised crime aiding logistics & recruitment

• Money laundering channels

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🏭 Protection of Critical Sectors

PRAHAAR highlights safeguarding:

✔ Power & energy

✔ Railways & aviation

✔ Ports & maritime assets

✔ Defence & space

✔ Atomic energy

UPSC Link: Critical Infrastructure Security

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🧭 Policy Principles

✅ Terrorism Not Linked to Religion

A crucial doctrinal statement:

“India does not link terrorism to any specific religion, ethnicity, nationality or civilisation.”

Exam Relevance:

• Secular constitutional ethos

• Prevents communal framing of security discourse

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✅ Recognition of Global Terror Networks

Mentions threats from groups like:

• al-Qaeda

• Islamic State

Concern: Radicalisation & sleeper cells

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⚙️ Strategic Implications

✔ Integrated multi-domain security

✔ Focus on emerging technologies

✔ Improved intelligence fusion

✔ Inter-agency coordination

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📝 UPSC Prelims Pointers

• PRAHAAR = First national anti-terror policy

• Multi-domain threat recognition

• Cyber-terror emphasis

• Critical infrastructure protection

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📝 UPSC Mains Themes

GS-II (Governance/Internal Security)

• Institutional coordination

• Federal challenges

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GS-III (Security)

• Hybrid warfare

• Cyber security

• Drone threats

• Terror financing

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Essay Topics

• “Changing Nature of Terrorism”

• “Technology & National Security”

• “Balancing Security & Civil Liberties”

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🎯 Possible Exam Questions

Prelims MCQ:

Which domains are identified in India’s PRAHAAR policy as terror threat fronts?

a) Land only

b) Land & Air

c) Water, Land & Air

d) Cyber only

✅ Answer: c) Water, Land & Air

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Mains (GS-III):

Discuss the impact of emerging technologies like drones and cyber tools on India’s internal security.

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🧩 Conclusion

PRAHAAR reflects India’s transition toward:

Proactive, Technology-Driven, Multi-Domain Counter-Terror Strategy

For UPSC aspirants, this policy is highly relevant for Prelims (current affairs) and Mains (internal security analysis).