Prahaar – India’s First Comprehensive Counter-Terror Doctrine

Why in News?

Recently, India has unveiled its first-ever comprehensive counter-terrorism doctrine titled ‘Prahaar’, marking a significant evolution in the country’s security architecture.

What is the rationale behind the policy?

• Persistent Cross-Border Terrorism
  • Continued threats from hostile neighbours allegedly using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.
  • Presence of jihadi outfits and global terror networks such as ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
• Evolving Nature of Terrorism
  • Use of modern technologies including drones, encrypted messaging apps, dark web, and cryptocurrency.
  • Increasing nexus between terrorist organisations and organised criminal networks.
• Need for Institutional Coordination
  • Multiplicity of agencies dealing with terrorism necessitated a unified doctrine.
  • Requirement for synergy among central, state, and district-level authorities.

What are the key features of ‘prahaar’ doctrine?

‘Prahaar’ is an acronym representing seven pillars of India’s counter-terror strategy

• Prevention
  • Focus on intelligence-based preventive action.
  • Early detection of radicalisation trends.
  • Strengthening surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.
• Response
  • Swift and proportionate retaliation to terror attacks.
  • Graded police response depending on the level of radicalisation.
  • Uniform anti-terror structures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across jurisdictions.
• Aggregation of Capacities
  • Whole-of-government approach integrating intelligence, law enforcement, and security agencies.
  • Modernisation of LEAs with advanced tools, technology, and weaponry.
  • Enhanced collaboration in intelligence collection and investigation.
• Human Rights and Rule of Law
  • Legal processes ensuring safeguards and avenues of appeal for accused persons.
  • Emphasis on balancing national security with constitutional values.
• Attenuation of Enabling Conditions
  • Addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities that lead to radicalisation.
  • Education, constructive engagement, and de-radicalisation programmes.
  • Disrupting overground worker networks and recruitment pipelines.
• Alignment with International Efforts
  • Cooperation through extradition, deportation, and adherence to UN norms.
  • Global partnerships to counter misuse of ICT by terrorist groups.
  • Investments in technological cooperation and private-sector collaboration.
• Recovery
  • Whole-of-society approach for post-attack rehabilitation and resilience building.
  • Strengthening community engagement to restore normalcy.

What are the emerging threat dimensions highlighted?

• Cyber and Technological Threats
  • Use of encrypted platforms, dark web, and crypto for anonymity.
  • Proactive disruption of cyber activities of terror groups.
• Drone and Hybrid Warfare
  • Deployment of drones for cross-border smuggling of arms and narcotics.
• Criminal-Terror Nexus
  • Use of organised crime networks for logistics, financing, and recruitment.
• Transnational Collaboration
  • Foreign-based terror groups leveraging local infrastructure and terrain knowledge.

What are the significance of the policy?

• Doctrinal Clarity – Elevates counter-terrorism from an operational strategy to a formal doctrine.
• Institutional Uniformity – Standardised structures and processes across levels of governance.
• Holistic Approach – Integrates security, socio-economic, legal, and international dimensions.
• Balancing Security and Rights – Acknowledges the importance of human rights in counter-terror operations.

What are the challenges?

• Federal Coordination Issues – Policing is a State subject and hence ensuring uniform adoption may be complex.
• Technological Upgradation – Continuous investment required to match evolving cyber threats.
• Capacity Building – Need for trained manpower and specialised investigation skills at the state level.
• Preventing Misuse – Safeguards must prevent overreach and protect civil liberties.
• International Cooperation – Effective enforcement of extradition and global cyber norms requires diplomatic agility.

What lies ahead?

• The unveiling of ‘Prahaar’ marks a significant milestone in India’s internal security framework.
• By institutionalising a proactive, intelligence-driven and coordinated approach, the policy seeks to address both conventional and emerging dimensions of terrorism.
• Its success, however, will depend on effective federal cooperation, technological preparedness, safeguarding civil liberties, and sustained international collaboration.
• If implemented robustly, Prahaar could strengthen India’s resilience against the evolving threat of terrorism while upholding democratic values.

Reference

The Times of India| Prahaar