Currently, not only India but entire world is suffering from man-made tragedy of terrorism. Terrorism is the enemy of values like humanity, peace, development, and democracy. Terrorism is the result of a radical mindset that considers itself superior and others infidels. Such forces constantly conspire. Terrorism has inflicted many serious wounds on India. For decades, India has been a victim of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Terrorism does not breed revolution, but only hatred and destruction. In Pakistan, there is no distinction left between the power and non-state actors. Terrorist forces did not spare our religious places. Even Parliament, the highest temple of democracy, was targeted. Hundreds of innocent people lost their lives in the Mumbai attack. Our soldiers sacrificed their lives in Pulwama.
In the Pahalgam attack, innocent people were killed after being asked about their religion. This was a manifestation of moral and barbaric brutality. As the nature of threats to the country continues to change and present new challenges, the country has to formulate new policies to meet them. After assessing the new challenges of land, sea, and air threats, the Ministry of Home Affairs released the country’s first counter-terrorism policy, “Prahaar,” a document that outlines a multi-pronged strategy based on zero tolerance and intelligence-based prevention and disruption of extremist violence. The policy is based on seven key pillars to counter terrorist threats emanating from within and outside the country.
Prahaar stands for prevention of terrorist attacks to protect Indian citizens and interests, tailored and rapid threat responses, integration of internal capabilities to achieve synergy in a whole-of-government approach, processes based on human rights and the rule of law to mitigate threats, reducing conditions that foster terrorism, including radicalisation, and aligning and shaping international efforts to counter terrorism. Recovery and resilience through a holistic approach to society. Without naming Pakistan, the document states that India faces persistent threats from cross-border terrorism, with jihadist organisations and global groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS using sleeper cells to plan attacks.
Foreign-based extremists use advanced technologies, including drones, and are unconcerned about the nature of casualties in terrorist violence, particularly in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists consider everyone a soft target, be it soldiers on leave or unarmed policemen. Even school buses full of children are targets. Any nation’s counter-terrorism policy is essentially based on its experience in dealing with such situations in the past and the current situation. In the 1980s, we witnessed a severe period of terrorism in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. I myself belong to a family that has suffered greatly from terrorism.
In Punjab, religious minorities – Hindus – were pulled out of buses and trains and brutally killed, while in Jammu, Kashmiri Pandits were persecuted, and the valley was devoid of Kashmiri Pandits in the 1990s. Kashmiri Pandits became refugees in their own country, and after Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, India’s policy has undergone a fundamental shift. India is no longer merely a reactive nation. The 2016 surgical strike, the 2019 Balakot airstrike, and Operation Sindoor in 2023 are all evidence of this shift in policy. India has made it clear that terrorists will be eliminated wherever they may be and that terrorism in any form will not be tolerated.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and a strategy of non-compromise on national interest over the past years. The central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made the “zero tolerance” policy not just a slogan but a permanent principle of governance. Whether it’s cross-border terrorist attacks or extremist activities within the country, the Modi government has proven at every level that India will neither remain silent nor submit. The Modi government took a major step to eliminate terrorism by single-handedly revoking Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. Now, the separatist Hurriyat Conference is virtually nonexistent.
Terrorist organisations are marginalised, the number of terrorist attacks has significantly decreased, and the lives of terrorist commanders have been significantly reduced. Although the remaining terrorists are succeeding in target killings, a significant change has occurred in the state: markets are thriving. Following the Pahalgam incident, tourist destinations have reopened. In recent months, intelligence agencies have foiled more than 10 major terrorist plots being hatched in several states. Attacks perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, ISIS, TTP, and other terrorist organisations have been effectively halted. Naxalism is now on its last legs within the country.
The corridor of Red Terror is now over. Naxalite commanders have either been killed, and all others have surrendered. The dream of a Naxal-free India has been realized. Home Minister Amit Shah has fulfilled his unwavering resolve. The Modi government has not only responded to terrorists at the borders but also launched decisive attacks on their funding, networks, and hideouts. The results of this tough policy are clearly reflected in the statistics. When the government’s intentions are clear and it.
