Safeguarding Bharat: A Constitutional And Strategic Framework For Combating Terrorism And Strengthening National Security In The 21st Century
- IJLLR Journal
- Jun 29
- 1 min read
Sonali Maind, Maharashtra National Law University Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
ABSTRACT
Terrorism in contemporary India has evolved from localized insurgencies to a complex, hybrid threat that merges traditional violence with cyber-warfare, transnational financing, ideological radicalization, and digital propaganda. The recent Pahalgam ambush of 2025 has once again exposed the inadequacies in India’s legal, intelligence, and institutional apparatus. This research paper critically examines India’s counter-terrorism framework from a constitutional and strategic lens. It analyses the role of core legislation such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the functioning of institutions like the National Investigation Agency, the implications of surveillance on civil liberties, and the inadequacy of current mechanisms to deal with cyber- terrorism. The study contends that while India has made commendable efforts through international cooperation, FATF compliance, and bilateral intelligence exchanges, there exists a pressing need for a codified national security doctrine rooted in constitutional values. Drawing from global best practices and Indian jurisprudence, this paper proposes a holistic model that reinforces operational efficiency without sacrificing democratic ethos. In conclusion, it argues that national security must not merely be a function of state power, but an embodiment of the republic’s foundational ideals. Only through a constitutionally aligned, technologically empowered, and ethically accountable framework can India truly safeguard Bharat in this era of asymmetrical warfare.
Keywords: Terrorism in India, National Security Doctrine, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Cyber-Terrorism and Surveillance, Constitutional Rights and Internal Security, Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Legal Reform
