India Unveils PRAHAAR: First Comprehensive Anti-Terror Policy
New Delhi – The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officially released the nation’s first comprehensive anti-terror policy, named “PRAHAAR,” on Monday, February 23, 2026. The policy addresses a wide range of threats, including cross-border terrorism, cyberattacks, and the increasing misuse of drones and emerging technologies.
Key Components of PRAHAAR
The PRAHAAR policy recognizes threats originating from multiple fronts – water, land, and air – and outlines strategies to secure critical infrastructure sectors such as power, railways, aviation, ports, defense, space, and atomic energy against both state and non-state actors.
Cybersecurity Focus
A significant emphasis within PRAHAAR is placed on cybersecurity. The policy acknowledges that, in addition to terrorism sponsored from across borders, “criminal hackers and nation states continue to target India through cyber-attacks.” This includes the leverage of social media platforms, instant messaging applications, encryption tools, the dark web, and cryptocurrency wallets for propaganda, funding, and operational guidance.
Drone and Emerging Technology Threats
The policy specifically highlights the growing threat posed by drones, particularly in regions like Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, where they are increasingly used to facilitate terrorist activities. It likewise addresses the challenges presented by other emerging technologies in the context of terrorism.
Terrorist Groups and Radicalization
PRAHAAR identifies global terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS as ongoing threats, noting their attempts to incite violence in India through sleeper cells and conspiracies hatched by violent extremists operating from foreign countries. The policy also addresses the issue of radicalization, emphasizing the need for a multi-stakeholder approach involving legal experts, community leaders, and religious organizations to counter extremist ideologies and engage youth constructively.
International Cooperation and Legal Framework
The policy stresses the importance of national actions combined with international and regional cooperation to address the transnational challenge of terrorism. It also highlights the need to strengthen the legal framework and associate legal experts at every stage of investigation, from the filing of First Information Reports (FIRs) to prosecution.
Commitment to Inclusivity
PRAHAAR explicitly states that India does not link terrorism to any specific religion, ethnicity, nationality, or civilization. It acknowledges a long history of “sponsored terrorism” from across the border, involving Jihadi terror outfits and their affiliated organizations.
Cybercrime Coordination
The Ministry of Home Affairs is also strengthening its cybercrime capabilities through the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), established in July 2024. The I4C includes units focused on threat analytics, reporting, investigation support, training, and research & innovation.