Amit Shah Inaugurates 'PRAHAAR' Anti-Terrorism Strategy Conference, Launches New Extradition Portal

Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated a special conference on ‘PRAHAAR - CT (Counter-Terrorism) Policy and Strategy’ held in New Delhi. The conference featured detailed discussions on the seven main pillars of the ‘PRAHAAR’ strategy to combat terrorism, which include prevention, response, unifying internal capacities, human rights, mitigating conditions that fuel terrorism, aligning international efforts, and fostering recovery and resilience through a 'whole-of-society' approach.

The conference was attended by the Union Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary, heads of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organizations (CPOs), as well as Directors General of Police from 15 states and heads of the Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) of all states and union territories. Directors General of Police and senior police officers from other states participated virtually.

In his address, Amit Shah stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has adopted a policy of 'zero tolerance' against all forms and methods of terrorism. He emphasized the need to establish a strong and concrete 'PRAHAAR' mechanism for the next 10 years and to implement this strategy down to the police station level. He called for the institutionalization of an automated anti-terrorism response system at every level of the PRAHAAR framework and better coordination among all stakeholders to prevent delays in action.

On this occasion, the Union Home Minister also launched a new extradition portal. He explained that this portal will accelerate efforts and improve coordination in bringing back fugitive offenders from abroad. Shri Shah directed state police forces to form special teams to work in conjunction with central agencies to facilitate the process of repatriating fugitives.

Citing data, the Home Minister mentioned that between 2019 and 2026, the Modi government successfully brought back 288 fugitive offenders from 36 countries. He further informed that through the coordination of agencies, over 40 modules of the Shehzad Bhatti network, involved in the cross-border smuggling of weapons, explosives, and narcotics, have been dismantled. In this case, more than 100 FIRs have been registered across 15 states, leading to the arrest of 350 individuals. Additionally, the government has declared the Shehzad Bhatti network as a terrorist organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).