The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday, 23 February 2026, unveiled India’s first comprehensive anti-terror policy called “PRAHAAR”, marking a major shift in the country’s strategy to counter terrorism in all its forms. This new doctrine recognises that terror threats have evolved beyond traditional attacks to include cross-border militancy, cyber-based campaigns, and misuse of modern technology, and seeks to build a modern, proactive, and coordinated national response to safeguard the nation.
What is the PRAHAAR Policy?
PRAHAAR (which means “strike”) is a strategic framework issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs that outlines how India will prevent, disrupt, and prosecute terrorism and extremist threats. It recognises that terror risks now extend across land, water, and air, and include threats from state and non-state actors, criminal hackers, and hybrid networks that exploit digital platforms and drones.
The doctrine emphasises that India does not associate terrorism with any religion, ethnicity, nationality, or civilisation, even as it points to longstanding concerns about “sponsored terrorism” from across the border and global extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS attempting to create sleeper cells or incite violence.
PRAHAAR Policy: Focus on Cross-Border Threats and Regional Safety
One of the core pillars of PRAHAAR is countering cross-border terrorism. The policy states that overseas terror networks increasingly depend on local infrastructure and contacts to plan, fund, and execute attacks. To meet this challenge, the strategy calls for enhanced international cooperation and regional partnerships to tackle transnational terror operations.
The doctrine also highlights how extremists recruit and influence individuals across communities, and how organised criminal networks help them coordinate logistics and support infrastructure. It describes terrorism today as often being aided by social media, encrypted messaging apps, the dark web, crypto wallets, and advanced digital tools, which allow groups to operate with anonymity and secrecy.
PRAHAAR Policy: Tackling Cyber, Drone, and Tech-Based Threats
A standout feature of PRAHAAR is its emphasis on technology-driven risks. The policy warns that terror groups are increasingly using digital platforms for recruitment, propaganda, and communication, and that encryption technologies make it difficult for authorities to monitor suspect activity. It also identifies CBRNED (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosive, Digital) materials and the misuse of drones and robotics as emerging areas of concern that need advanced preparedness.
To keep pace with these threats, PRAHAAR urges a blend of real-time intelligence, digital surveillance, and modern counter-terror tools, while ensuring that critical sectors like energy, aviation, railways, defence, and space remain secure at all times.
PRAHAAR Policy: Strengthening Prevention, Prosecution, and Legal Action
The policy underlines that to effectively tackle terrorism, law enforcement must involve legal experts at every stage — from registering a First Information Report (FIR) to successful prosecution in court. This approach aims to build stronger terrorism cases and improve conviction rates.
PRAHAAR also stresses the importance of coordinated action among central agencies, state police, intelligence units, and special forces like the National Investigation Agency to ensure quick and consistent responses.
Preventing Radicalisation and Community Engagement
Preventing radicalisation is a key focus of the new policy. PRAHAAR calls for constructive engagement with youth, women, community leaders, NGOs, and moderate religious voices to raise awareness about the dangers of extremist ideology. It stresses efforts to detect early signs of radicalisation and support de-radicalisation initiatives in prisons, educational institutions, and vulnerable communities.
Once individuals showing extremist tendencies are identified, the policy directs a graded police response tailored to the level of radicalisation — blending enforcement with community support to prevent further escalation.
PRAHAAR Policy: Coordinated National and Global Approach
PRAHAAR underscores that terrorism is a multi-dimensional challenge that requires a unified strategy both within India and with international allies. It urges improved intelligence sharing, diplomatic cooperation, regional partnerships, and synchronized efforts across borders to disrupt terror networks and cut off funding and recruitment channels.
In addition to enhancing technical capabilities, the policy emphasises human rights protection, ensuring that counter-terror actions comply with legal procedures and respect civil liberties.
What PRAHAAR Aims to Achieve
The policy sets out several key goals, including:
- Preventing terror attacks before they occur
- Strengthening coordination between central and state agencies
- Protecting human rights within legal frameworks
- Reducing conditions that foster terrorism
- Cooperating with global partners against terrorism
- Building resilient communities
- Addressing high-tech threats like cyberattacks and digital recruitment
By combining advanced intelligence systems, community involvement, and legal strategy, PRAHAAR aims to create a proactive and adaptive counter-terror architecture that can better protect India’s security interests in a rapidly changing world.
How India Will Implement PRAHAAR
Under the new policy, India will take a real-time, intelligence-driven approach with closer coordination among units like the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI). Security forces at border regions will receive technological upgrades, while local police will act as first responders supported by specialised units when needed. Investigatory bodies such as the NIA and state police will lead efforts to prevent attacks and disrupt extremist activities.
By building stronger legal cases, engaging communities, and modernising security infrastructure, PRAHAAR stands as a significant policy step to safeguard India against both traditional and evolving terror threats.
