Multi-Dimensional Strategy to Counter Internal and Cross-Border Terrorism

The Ministry of Home Affairs has outlined comprehensive initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to curb terrorism, both internal and cross-border, through integrated security, legislative, and technological frameworks.

India’s Counter-Terrorism Framework: Legislative Strengthening, Surveillance Infrastructure & International Coordination

1. Constitutional Position and Centre-State Division

• As per the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects (List-II, State List).
• However, the Union Government adopts a multi-dimensional strategy to counter terrorism that complements State efforts and addresses border and national security

2. Measures for Strengthening Internal and Border Security

• Operational & Infrastructure Upgradation:
  • Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in vulnerable regions.
  • Strategic construction under Bharatmala and Border Roads Organisation (BRO): roads, tunnels, bridges.
  • Enhanced day and night area domination through Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) and Border Out Posts (BOPs).
• Technology-Driven Surveillance:
  • Implementation of Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS): sensors, radars, command-control systems.
  • Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, and satellite surveillance for real-time monitoring.
• Capacity Building & Intelligence Sharing:
  • Specialized training for State Police, cyber agencies, and law enforcement units.
  • Enhanced inter-agency cooperation via Multi Agency Centre (MAC) at Centre and State MACs.

3. Preventive Measures Against Terrorism

• Proactive Counter-Terror Measures:
  • Zero-tolerance approach against terrorism adopted.
  • Dismantling of terror ecosystems through coordinated operations by CAPFs, Army, State Police.
  • Investigations by National Investigation Agency (NIA) into terrorism financing and logistics.
• Legislative Framework Strengthening:
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and NIA Act, 2008 are key legal instruments.
  • UAPA enables freezing/seizing of assets and travel restrictions on designated terrorists.
• Use of Advanced Technologies:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data Analytics, Facial Recognition, and cyber monitoring to identify threats and prevent radicalization online.

4. Combating Terror Financing

• Institutional Mechanisms:
  • Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Cell in MHA for inter-agency coordination.
  • Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cell (TFFC) in NIA for direct prosecution.
  • FICN Coordination Centre (FCORD) monitors fake currency flow.
• Global Alignment:
  • Sanctions under UNSCR 1267 & 1373 and Section 51A of UAPA to freeze assets and restrict travel of designated terrorists.
• Financial Surveillance:
  • Monitoring of suspicious NGO activities, hawala channels, and transactions via Financial Intelligence Units.

5. International Cooperation

• India has functional Joint Working Groups on Counter-Terrorism (JWG-CT) with 26 countries.
• Participates in 5 multilateral forums: ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BRICS, EU, QUAD.
• Engages in Stand-alone Dialogue with Tunisia.

Way Forward

• Unified National Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Develop a centralized framework integrating technological innovation, intelligence operations, and international cooperation.
• Strengthening Cyber Surveillance: Scale up investments in AI-driven threat detection systems and reinforce social media vigilance to counter digital radicalization.
• Legal Reforms: Ensure that anti-terror laws balance national security with civil liberties and are harmonized with evolving global standards.
• Grassroots Intelligence: Improve human intelligence (HUMINT) networks at the local police and panchayat levels in high-risk regions.