Countering Terrorism and Protecting India’s Internal Security

• 14 Nov 2025

For Prelims: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Multi-Agency Centre, Operation Sindoor 

For Mains: Cross-border terrorism and proxy warfare, Urban terrorism, India’s counterterrorism doctrine

Source:TH 

Why in News?  

A deadly car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort has renewed concerns over India’s internal security, with investigators suspecting the involvement of an organised terror module.  

• The First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 and the incident underscores the need for a robust, and coordinated counterterrorism strategy. 

How does Terrorism Continue to Threaten India’s Internal Security? 

• Cross-Border Terrorism and Proxy Warfare: State actors like Pakistan continue to sponsor cross-border terrorism through non-state actors such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).  
  • These groups have orchestrated several attacks, such as the 2001 Parliament Attack and the 2016 Uri attack in Jammu & Kashmir. 
  • Proxy warfare from Pakistan-based groups continues to be a persistent threat, as demonstrated by the 2025 Pahalgam attack.  
    • The ISI has long used religious extremism to radicalize and recruit youth, particularly in Kashmir, by exploiting Islamic radicalization and separatist sentiments to advance its agenda. 
  • The China-Pakistan nexus continues to pose a strategic threat to India through hybrid warfare. 
• Urban Terrorism: Urban terrorism is on the rise, urban centers have become prime targets for terrorists seeking to cause mass casualties, instill psychological fear, and gain widespread media attention.  
  • High-profile attacks, such as the 2008 Mumbai terror strikes and the rise of lone-wolf incidents illustrate a growing shift toward targeting civilian spaces, making urban areas increasingly vulnerable. 
  • The use of ammonium nitrate explosives and urban anonymity expose vulnerabilities in India’s civil security infrastructure. 
  • White-collar terrorism, involving educated professionals using technical expertise for terror activities, highlights the need for stronger counter-terrorism frameworks in urban areas. 
• Internal Insurgencies and Ethno-Nationalist Movements: India faces multiple internal insurgencies fueled by local grievances.  
  • Groups in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast seek greater autonomy or independence, often with external support.  
  • Similarly, Maoist insurgencies (Left-Wing Extremism) continue to destabilize regions in central India, exploiting socio-economic disparities. 
• Cyber Terrorism: Terrorist groups have increasingly turned to technology for recruitment, funding, radicalization, and planning.  
  • Cyberterrorism poses a significant threat to India’s critical infrastructure, while online platforms are exploited to spread extremist ideologies.  
  • The use of cryptocurrencies and dark web networks makes it harder for authorities to track financial flows supporting terrorism. 
• Organised Crimes: Terrorism in India is funded through illicit activities such as drug trafficking, fake currency, and smuggling.  
  • Pakistan’s ISI is known to use these channels to fund terrorist operations, while India’s proximity to drug production hubs in Afghanistan and Myanmar facilitates the movement of narcotics. 
• Maritime Security and Coastal Vulnerabilities: India's extensive 7,500 km coastline is vulnerable to maritime terrorism.  
  • Groups such as LeT and JeM, along with drug cartels and smuggling networks, exploit coastal security gaps to infiltrate India via the Arabian Sea. 
  • The 2014 PNS Ghazi submarine incident and interceptions by the Indian Navy reveal attempts to infiltrate Indian waters for smuggling arms and explosives.

What is India's Counterterrorism Doctrine? 

• India’s New Counterterrorism Doctrine: India’s Counterterrorism Doctrine unveiled after Operation Sindoor marks a decisive shift from earlier restraint to a more assertive and punitive security posture.  
  • It is built on three principles: decisive retaliation, zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail, and no distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors. 
  • Decisive Retaliation: It means India will hit back firmly and on its own terms after any terror attack, targeting terror hubs at the source to raise the costs for states backing such groups. 
    • This approach, seen in strikes on major Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). 
  • Zero Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail: India will not be deterred by nuclear threats and will strike terrorist safe havens even if they hide under a nuclear shield, asserting its right to self-defence and moving away from earlier strategic restraint. 
  • No Distinction Between Terrorists & their Sponsors: India now treats both terror groups and the states sheltering or supporting them as the same target. 
    • Operation Sindoor reflected this shift by striking deep inside Pakistan, signalling that state-backed terrorism will be met as a direct act of war. 
• Doval Doctrine: Shaped by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, it blends hard power, intelligence, diplomacy, and psychological warfare into a unified national security approach. 

Core Principles 

• Proactive National Defense: India asserts the right to strike first or strike back decisively, reflected in the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. 
• Whole-of-Government Coordination: Military, intelligence, police, and diplomatic institutions operate in an integrated framework. 
• Security Linked with Development: Security operations are paired with welfare and governance initiatives, especially in Kashmir (Abrogation of Article 370) and Left-Wing Extremism zones. 
• Defensive–Offense Strategy: Instead of waiting to be attacked, India signals readiness for calibrated offensive action to raise the cost for adversaries.

What Measures are Needed to Build a Comprehensive Counterterrorism Policy for India’s Internal Security? 

• Strengthening Intelligence and Coordination: Convert the MAC into a statutory, 24×7 national fusion centre with mandatory data-sharing by all agencies. 
  • Implement artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics to analyze and predict terrorist activity patterns, including online radicalization and the movement of terror groups. 
  • Improve intelligence coordination with neighboring countries, particularly Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, to counter cross-border terrorism. 
• Modernise Policing and Forensic Capabilities: Equip state police with modern surveillance tools, cyber-forensics, drone-detection systems and predictive policing software. 
  • Establish fast-track anti-terror courts to expedite trials and improve conviction rates. 
• Stronger Anti-Terror Financing Laws: Strengthen laws targeting terrorist financing, including tracking cryptocurrency transactions, hawala operations, and illegal charities. 
  • Enhance international partnerships through ‘No Money for Terror’ (NMFT) and bilateral intelligence exchanges. 
• Coastal Surveillance: Enhance coastal security by deploying automated drones, radar systems, and marine surveillance technologies to prevent maritime terrorism and smuggling. 
• Diplomatic Pressure: Push for greater international cooperation through forums like the UN to curb state-sponsored terrorism, particularly Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism. 
  • Increase the efforts for the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) at the UN to criminalize all forms of international terrorism and cut off resources for terrorists 
• Psychological and Informational Warfare: Develop a national strategy for information warfare to combat terrorist propaganda and counteract radical ideologies spread via social media and extremist websites. 
  • Develop a nationwide Counter-Radicalisation Framework based on global models ( like Singapore, UK). 
  • Institutionalise the post–Operation Sindoor doctrine, strengthen India’s deterrence posture with a mix of precision strikes, cyber capabilities, and information warfare tools.

Conclusion 

Terrorism continues to threaten India’s internal security through external state sponsorship, internal insurgencies, and the use of technology. The persistent challenges include cyber terrorism, urban attacks, and the exploitation of India’s socio-political divisions. A comprehensive strategy that integrates military, intelligence, and cybersecurity efforts will be crucial in addressing these evolving threats.

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the changing nature of urban terrorism and propose institutional measures to secure Indian cities against high-impact attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What are the core principles of India’s new counterterrorism doctrine? 
The doctrine is based on decisive retaliation, zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail, and no distinction between terrorists and their state sponsors.

2. Which groups primarily drive cross-border terrorism against India? 
Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) continue to lead cross-border terror activities. 

3. Why are Indian cities more vulnerable to urban terrorism? 
Urban vulnerability stems from high population density, anonymity for attackers, ease of access to explosive precursors (e.g., ammonium nitrate), and critical-infrastructure exposure.

4. What is the main objective of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC)? 
MAC enables inter-agency intelligence sharing for real-time threat assessment, though current coordination gaps limit its effectiveness.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. Hand-in-Hand 2007’ a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? (2008)

(a) China  

(b) Japan  

(c) Russia  

(d) USA  

Ans: (a)

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Mains

Q. What are India’s internal security challenges? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats. (2023)

Q. Analyse the multidimensional challenges posed by external state and non-state actors, to the internal security of India. Also discuss measures required to be taken to combat the threats. (2021) 

Q. The banning of ‘Jamaat-e – islaami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs. (2019)