The recently released document, PRAHAAR, by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, marks a significant moment in the evolution of India’s counter-terrorism doctrine. Emerging in a context defined by the convergence of conventional threats and non-traditional challenges—such as digital radicalisation, information warfare, cross-border terrorist networks, and technological disruptions—the document signals a shift towards a more integrated and proactive security posture. By establishing a framework of zero tolerance, India has now officially prioritised the complete dismantling of extremist networks before they can execute their designs. However, PRAHAAR’s true impact will depend not only on its strategic vision but also on its interpretability, institutional alignment, and operational feasibility across sectors.
This month’s edition of National Security Dialogue will explore how these challenges can be addressed when terrorist networks have metamorphosed and adapted to the security establishment’s sustained crackdown. The dialogue seeks to critically examine the PRAHAAR framework through a multi-sectoral lens, bringing together practitioners and experts from policing, defence, and academic communities. Underpinning this is a holistic perspective that terrorism and internal security threats are inherently cross-cutting, defying neat institutional boundaries and demanding responses that are coordinated, integrated, and sustained.
Driving Questions:
