India unveils first anti-terror policy PRAHAAR: Clever word play or clear strategy to tackle terrorism?

The Ministry of Home Affairs has launched 'PRAHAAR', India's first comprehensive national counter-terrorism policy, establishing a zero-tolerance framework against evolving security threats. This intelligence-led strategy addresses cross-border terrorism, cyber warfare, and terror funding via cryptocurrency and the dark web. In a parallel display of military readiness, the Indian Armed Forces conducted 'Exercise Agni Varsha' at Pokhran, demonstrating integrated firepower with T-90 Bhishma tanks and Apache helicopters before international observers. Security experts, including Yashovardhan Azad, analysed the shift toward a proactive 'whole-of-government' approach and the emerging 'single front' threat from the China-Pakistan nexus following a 2025 memorandum. Additionally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel focused on defence technology sharing, including the Iron Dome and anti-ballistic systems. The programme also reports on the DGCA's grounding of VSR Ventures' Learjet aircraft following a fatal crash in Baramati that killed former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, alongside a tragic patricide in Lucknow linked to NEET exam pressure.