01
Context / Background
India has long faced cross-border sponsored terrorism, with groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS attempting to incite violence through sleeper cells. The PRAHAAR strategy, announced by MHA in February 2026, is India's first comprehensive counter-terrorism policy, replacing ad-hoc measures with a structured framework. It comes in the backdrop of evolving threats including drones, encrypted communications, dark web platforms, crypto-financing, and cyber attacks.
02
Core Analysis & The Seven Pillars
PRAHAAR is structured around seven pillars: (i) intelligence-led prevention with real-time inter-agency coordination, (ii) swift proportionate response led by local police with specialized forces, (iii) capacity aggregation through police modernization and standardized training, (iv) firm adherence to human rights and rule of law, (v) graded de-radicalisation with community engagement focusing on youth and women, (vi) international cooperation through intelligence sharing, legal assistance, extradition, and multilateral designations, and (vii) recovery and resilience through a whole-of-society approach.
03
Tech-Enabled Threats and Perimeter Fallacy
The policy specifically flags concerns over CBRNED material (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive, digital), misuse of drones and robotics, and cyberattacks. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cautioned against 'perimeter fallacy' - viewing national security solely as safeguarding geographical boundaries - given modern threats like drones, cyberattacks, lone wolf attacks, and disinformation. The government reported 28 drone-smuggling incidents in three years till February 2023.
04
Shift in Deterrence Strategy
According to RAND Corporation, 'deterrence by denial' prevents the aggressor from succeeding, while 'deterrence by punishment' imposes unacceptable retaliatory costs. India has traditionally followed denial. Post-Operation Sindoor (2025), PRAHAAR reinforces this by hardening domestic targets and creating an interconnected anti-terror grid linking central databases with district-level police consoles in real time, rather than relying solely on retaliatory strikes.
05
Legal Framework for Terrorism
India legally defines terrorism under two statutes: Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) defines a terrorist act as one threatening India's unity, integrity, security, economic security, or sovereignty, or striking terror in people. Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) similarly defines it as an act intending to threaten unity, integrity, sovereignty, security, or economic security, or to intimidate the general public.