According to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2024, India continues to figure among countries significantly impacted by terrorism, reflecting persistent security challenges. In this context, the National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy – ‘PRAHAAR’ institutionalises a comprehensive, multi-domain framework to address these vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability of India to terrorist threats:
1. Cross-border sponsored terrorism:
- Porous borders, hostile neighbourhood, and use of non-state actors as instruments of state policy.
- Terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror attacks in Punjab and J&K.
2. Hybrid terrorism:
- Rapid digitalisation without commensurate cyber-security depth across all states led to increased use of encrypted messaging apps, dark web, and crypto wallets for recruitment and funding.
- For e.g., India faced over 1.3 million cyber incidents in 2023 as per CERT-In data.
3. Radicalisation:
- Social media platforms are increasingly being used for propaganda, recruitment, and lone-wolf radicalisation.
- For e.g., ISIS-inspired modules detected in states like Kerala, Maharashtra and Karnataka in recent years.
4. Critical infrastructure exposure:
- India’s expanding economy increases exposure of power grids, ports, aviation, railways, atomic and space sectors.
- For e.g., Mumbai 26/11 demonstrated economic and psychological costs of urban terror.
Role of PRAHAAR in addressing these vulnerabilities:
1. Intelligence-led preventive architecture:
- Strengthens Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) for real-time intelligence sharing.
- Focus on disruption of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and terror-financing networks marks a shift in approach from reactive response to proactive prevention.
2. Multi-domain security framework:
- It focuses on capacity building for protection of critical sectors including defence, space and atomic energy.
- Border guarding forces equipped with surveillance and drone-detection technologies helps in addressing drone-enabled cross-border infiltration.
3. Tech-integrated counter-terror strategy:
- The policy focuses on countering misuse of ICT, encryption, crypto-financing and dark web operations.
- It strengthens cyber disruption capabilities through coordinated law enforcement response.
4. Human Rights-based approach:
- Anchored in UAPA 1967, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and PMLA 2002 it explicitly states terrorism is not linked to any religion or ethnicity.
- It provides for judicial safeguards and multi-tier appeal mechanisms.
5. Whole-of-society approach:
- Engagement of community leaders, NGOs, psychologists and civil society helps in addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities.
- Prison de-radicalisation programmes and youth outreach initiatives target root causes and prevents recruitment pipelines.
6. International cooperation: Continued advocacy for Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN helps in tackling transnational terrorism.
Conclusion:
PRAHAAR provides a comprehensive, intelligence-driven and rule-of-law anchored framework to mitigate these risks in a technologically complex security environment. Further need is for sustained capacity building, inter-agency coordination, and international cooperation in an era of hybrid and asymmetric warfare.
‘+1’ Value Addition:
- Over 300 drone sightings/interceptions reported in Punjab border region during 2022–24, highlight emerging threat pattern.
- UNSCR 1373 obligations align with India’s emphasis on denying safe havens and funding.
- Global Terrorism Index, 2024 notes decline in overall fatalities in India but persistence of sub-national terror risks.
- NIA conviction rate has reportedly remained above 90% in recent years – strengthening deterrence.
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