Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) releases National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy (PRAHAAR)

Key facts

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has released the National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy, named PRAHAAR, to provide a comprehensive framework for preventing and mitigating terrorism.
• The strategy emphasizes intelligence-led operations, multi-agency coordination, and a zero-tolerance stance against terrorism while upholding human rights and the rule of law.
• The Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and the Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) under the Intelligence Bureau (IB) serve as nodal platforms for real-time sharing of counter-terror inputs.
• The National Security Guard (NSG) functions as the nodal national counter-terror force under the MHA to assist state forces and enhance their operational capacities.
• Legal frameworks supporting the strategy include the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) 1967, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.
• The policy identifies critical infrastructure for protection, including power, railways, aviation, ports, defence, space, and atomic energy.
• The Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D), in collaboration with state and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) training institutions, will conduct regular training for personnel.
• The strategy addresses the use of modern technology by terrorist groups, including encrypted communications, the dark web, cryptocurrency, and drones.