101. Internal Security: Threats, Forces, Agencies, Challenges

CORE Key Points at a Glance

1. 1

   India's Internal Security Threat Landscape

   • Threats: Left-Wing Extremism (LWE/Naxalism), insurgencies in the Northeast, cross-border terrorism (J&K and Punjab), cyber threats, organised crime and narco-terrorism, communal violence, and radicalisation
   • Nodal ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
2. 2

   Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

   • Origin: Charu Majumdar's 1967 Naxalbari uprising; India's longest-running internal security challenge
   • Peak (2009–2010): 106 districts in 10 states — Red Corridor spanning Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra
   • 2025 status: Affected districts reduced to ~18–20 (over 80% reduction)
3. 3

   National Investigation Agency (NIA)

   • Established under NIA Act, 2008 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks (November 2008)
   • Central counter-terrorism agency; investigates offences under UAPA, Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act, cyber-terrorism, and trafficking crimes
   • Jurisdiction extends across all states without state government consent
4. 4

   Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under MHA

   • Forces: CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, NDRF
   • Total CAPF personnel: ~10 lakh
5. 5

   Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act — UAPA 1967

   • Amended significantly in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2019; India's primary anti-terrorism and anti-secessionism statute
   • 2019 amendment: Added power to designate individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists
   • NIA can attach property without prior sanction
   • Critics cite UAPA's misuse against journalists, activists, and political dissenters
6. 6

   26/11 Mumbai Attacks (26 November 2008)

   • Ten LeT terrorists from Pakistan landed at CST Mumbai via inflatable boats from Karachi
   • Attacked 10 sites including Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Nariman House — over 60 hours
   • 166 people killed, 300+ injured; Ajmal Kasab captured alive, executed 2012
   • Led to: NIA creation, improved coastal security, NSG hubs establishment
7. 7

   Northeast Insurgencies

   • Multiple armed groups: ULFA (Assam), NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) (Nagaland), Kuki-Zo groups (Manipur), HNLC (Meghalaya), Bru/Reang conflict (Mizoram-Tripura)
   • Longest ongoing negotiation: Naga peace process — talks with NSCN(IM) since 1997
   • Bru-Reang settlement (January 2020): 37,000 Bru refugees permanently settled in Tripura
8. 8

   Cyber Threats to Internal Security

   • State-sponsored APTs (primarily Chinese and Pakistani groups), ransomware on critical infrastructure (AIIMS Delhi 2022 — servers down 5 days), financial fraud
   • Nodal agencies: CERT-In (Section 70B, IT Act 2000) and NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre)
9. 9

   Organised Crime and Narco-Terrorism

   • Drug trafficking through Golden Crescent (Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran) and Golden Triangle (Myanmar-Thailand-Laos) routes affects Punjab and Northeast India
   • Narco-terrorism — terrorist funding through drug trade — investigated jointly by NIA and NCB
   • Punjab drug crisis: synthetic drug (chitta) epidemic linked to Pakistan-backed trafficking
10. 10

    Jammu & Kashmir Security

    • Post Article 370 abrogation (August 2019): J&K bifurcated into two UTs — J&K and Ladakh
    • Militant casualties fell from 267 (2018) to 26 (2024); civilian casualties fell from 86 (2018) to 15 (2024)
    • Cross-border terrorism continues via LOC tunnels, drones, weapons drops (JeM, LeT, Hizbul)
    • Operation Sindoor (May 2025): Precision strikes on 9 terrorist camps across Pakistan and POK following the Pahalgam attack — major escalation in India's counter-terrorism doctrine
11. 11

    Radicalization and Online Extremism

    • Home-grown radicalisation via social media, encrypted messaging, ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda (Ansar Ghazwat ul Hind) propaganda
    • NIA has arrested 100+ individuals under radicalisation-related charges since 2014
    • Right-wing extremist violence — mob lynchings, communal riots — also tracked by NCRB
12. 12

    AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act)

    • Active in: Nagaland, Manipur (partially removed 2023), Arunachal Pradesh, Assam (partially)
    • Grants army and central forces power to search, arrest without warrant, and use lethal force in disturbed areas
    • Controversial: SC in Extra Judicial Execution Victims Association v. UoI (2016) held AFSPA does not give absolute immunity — encounters must be investigated