New Delhi, September 19 (Daily Kiran) : India is undergoing a significant transformation in its counter-terrorism strategy. Rather than responding to attacks post-factum, the focus has shifted to identifying and dismantling terrorist modules based on intelligence before any incident occurs.
The Narendra Modi administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. This new approach marks a departure in the security apparatus’s strategy for handling terrorism-related cases. The aim is to identify threats early and neutralize them before they can escalate into actual attacks.
An official noted that recent incidents related to terrorism clearly indicate that the national counter-terrorism strategy, named “Prahaar,” initiated in February of this year, is beginning to show results. Agencies have been directed to avoid waiting for incidents to occur before taking action. The emphasis is now on preventing terrorist attacks and ensuring that terrorist modules do not grow to a size that makes them difficult to control later.
According to an officer from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), this strategy is being implemented nationwide, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been attempting to orchestrate significant attacks in the valley, activating its overground worker network and attempting infiltration. However, the new strategy has resulted in limited success for these efforts, focusing on thwarting plans before they can be executed.
The IB officer stated that in recent months, security agencies have successfully eliminated terrorists and dismantled several modules while preventing the activation of overground worker networks. These challenges in Jammu and Kashmir have been significant, but agencies have made it increasingly difficult for the ISI to execute their plans.
Another official highlighted that while terrorist attacks are a concern, the larger issue facing the country is radicalization. This problem is not confined to one area but has spread across various regions, with modules linked to radicalization active in states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Kerala.
The Islamic State has particularly focused on spreading radicalization, successfully influencing the youth’s mindset. When security agencies recognized the potential for these modules to expand significantly, they acted swiftly to dismantle them.
A recent example from Andhra Pradesh showcased how security agencies are addressing interconnected radical modules from across the country. This module was on the verge of becoming a major issue but was neutralized in time.
Officials emphasized that agencies no longer wait for terrorist modules to grow before taking action. If intelligence is actionable, steps are taken immediately to dismantle these modules and prevent their advancement.
Similar actions have been observed in Gujarat, where a module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed was dismantled. This self-formed module was promoting Jaish-e-Mohammed’s ideology. Following its neutralization, security agencies discovered a substantial amount of extremist material, indicating it was becoming a serious threat.
The same proactive strategy has been implemented to counter terrorism and radicalization activities from Bangladesh. Attempts by groups like Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh to target West Bengal and northeastern states have been thwarted. An official stated that this represents a significant shift in India’s counter-terrorism and anti-radicalization strategy.
According to officials, the “Prahaar” initiative emphasizes taking preemptive action rather than waiting to respond after incidents occur. Improved coordination among intelligence agencies, state police, and central agencies is also a key focus of this new strategy.
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