India Launches First-Ever National Counter-Terrorism Policy 'Prahaar'
The Indian government on Monday unveiled the country's inaugural anti-terror policy, elevating its "pro-active and intelligence-guided" approach to a formal doctrine. This landmark strategy, named 'Prahaar', represents a comprehensive framework designed to criminalize all terrorist acts and systematically deprive terrorists, their financiers, and supporters of critical resources.
Addressing Evolving Threats from Neighbors and Technology
The policy explicitly highlights the persistent threat posed by "hostile neighbours" that deploy terrorism as an instrument of state policy. It underscores dangers from jihadi outfits and global terrorist networks like ISIS and Al-Qaeda. Furthermore, 'Prahaar' confronts the new-age challenges where terrorists exploit modern communication devices, organized criminal networks for logistics, and advanced technologies.
Specific concerns include violent extremists based abroad using drones to unleash terror in regions like Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The policy also flags the exploitation of social media platforms, instant messaging apps, encryption, the dark web, and cryptocurrencies by terror groups to operate with anonymity and spread propaganda.
The Seven-Pillar 'Prahaar' Strategy
The policy is structured around seven key pillars, each represented by a letter in the acronym 'Prahaar', forming a holistic counter-terrorism doctrine:
- Prevention of terror attacks through proactive measures.
- Responses that are swift, proportionate, and effective.
- Aggregating internal capacities for a unified whole-of-government approach.
- Human Rights and rule of law-based processes for threat mitigation, ensuring legal redressal for the accused.
- Attenuating conditions enabling terrorism, including radicalization, through graded police responses and addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities.
- Aligning international efforts to counter terrorism, emphasizing global cooperation.
- Recovery through a whole-of-society approach post-incident.
Operational and Structural Reforms
The policy outlines a clear way forward, calling for enhanced collaboration among various agencies on intelligence collection and investigation. It advocates for periodic amendments to the counter-terror legal framework and stresses the continual need to build the capacity of state-level counter-terror mechanisms.
A uniform anti-terror structure is mandated for all stakeholders at the central, state, and district levels. Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and security forces must be modernized with the latest tools, technology, and weaponry. The strategy also demands proactive disruption of cyber activities of terror groups and continuous dismantling of overground worker (OGW) networks.
Emphasis on International Cooperation and Tech Partnerships
With foreign-based terror groups increasingly relying on local infrastructure and knowledge for transnational attacks, 'Prahaar' strongly emphasizes the necessity for international cooperation. This includes collaborative efforts to counter the misuse of information and communications technology (ICT) by terrorists.
The policy advocates for investments in advanced technology and forging partnerships with private enterprises to stay ahead of evolving terrorist tactics. It aims to foster synergy among central and state agencies, ensuring a cohesive national response to terrorism.
By integrating prevention, human rights safeguards, and recovery, India's 'Prahaar' policy marks a strategic evolution in its long-standing fight against terrorism, positioning the nation at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts.
