The Indian government has unveiled 'Prahaar', its inaugural national counter-terrorism policy and strategy, aimed at delivering a decisive blow against evolving terror networks. Announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) earlier this week, the policy marks a shift toward proactive, tech-savvy defenses in an era of drone attacks, cyber radicalization, and cross-border financing.

At its core, Prahaar – which stands for Prevention, Response, Aggregation, Human Rights, Attenuation, Alignment, and Recovery – outlines a multi-layered approach to neutralize threats before they strike. It emphasizes real-time intelligence sharing through upgraded Multi-Agency Centres (MAC), empowering state police as frontline responders while elite forces like the NSG provide rapid backup. Officials highlighted how this addresses modern challenges, such as encrypted communications and cryptocurrency funding used by groups exploiting vulnerabilities from Jammu & Kashmir to urban hideouts.

The strategy also criminalizes all terror activities without exception, choking off safe havens and online propaganda pipelines. By integrating AI surveillance and border tech upgrades, Prahaar draws from real-world lessons, like the swift online mobilization seen in past attacks, to prevent repeats.

Prevention takes center stage with community outreach: partnerships with NGOs, schools, and local leaders to tackle root causes like radicalization in prisons and youth hotspots. Economic initiatives in high-risk areas aim to reduce recruitment appeal, fostering a "whole-of-society" resilience similar to successful models abroad. Globally, it pushes for collaborative operations and UN-level action on tech misuse by terror outfits. Union Home Minister Amit Shah described Prahaar as a "zero-tolerance hammer" on terrorism, promising proportionate responses to any aggression. As states gear up for implementation, security experts see it as a timely upgrade to India's defenses amid rising global threats.