Amit Shah Unveils PRAHAAR Counter-Terrorism Policy

Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled PRAHAAR, which stands for Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism, as India’s first national counter-terrorism policy and strategy on 23 February 2026. A conference on “PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy” was held in New Delhi on 28 September 2026, and the strategy was discussed as a 10-year institutional framework.

PRAHAAR Framework

PRAHAAR is a multi-dimensional counter-terrorism strategy built on seven pillars. These pillars are Prevention, Response, Aggregating Internal Capacities, Human Rights, Attenuating Conditions for Terrorism, Aligning International Efforts, and Recovery and Resilience.

The framework uses a whole-of-society approach and includes social, psychological, and community-based measures for preventing radicalisation. The strategy also places emphasis on zero tolerance for terror and on implementation up to the police station level.

Institutional and Operational Features

During the 28 September 2026 conference, the need for an automated counter-terrorism response at every level was discussed. The conference was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, heads of Central Armed Police Forces, heads of Central Police Organisations, Directors General of Police of 15 states, and Anti-Terrorist Squad chiefs of all states and Union Territories.

An Extradition Portal was also launched on 28 September 2026 to coordinate and speed up efforts to bring fugitives back to India. From 2019 to 2026, 288 fugitive criminals were repatriated to India from 36 countries.

Related Security Developments

More than 40 modules of the Shahzad Bhatti network were busted through improved agency coordination. The network was linked to cross-border smuggling of weapons, explosives, and narcotics, and more than 100 FIRs and 350 arrests were recorded across 15 states. The network was also declared a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Important Facts for Exams

• PRAHAAR expands to Policy for Response Against Hostile Activities and Radicalism.
• The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is India’s principal anti-terror law.
• Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations function under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Extradition is the legal process by which one country surrenders a fugitive to another country for prosecution or punishment.

India’s first national counter-terrorism policy and strategy was unveiled on 23 February 2026. The Extradition Portal was launched on 28 September 2026 for coordination in fugitive repatriation.