Eleven years of how internal security became India’s strongest pillar under Modi

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Until 2014, India was reeling under frequent terror attacks, insurgent threats, Naxalite attacks, cross-border violence and an inefficient criminal justice framework. 11 years later India stands transformed—internally secure, assertive and resilient and credit for this must go the “Modi-Shah” doctrine of Rashtra Niti above Votebank Niti.

This dramatic improvement in internal security is not a coincidence but the outcome of a calibrated, consistent and courageous leadership that has political will to take tough decisions and keep Rashtra Niti above Rajniti. Be it terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), insurgency in the Northeast or the overhaul of our counter-terrorism architecture—the Modi-Shah zero-tolerance policy and reformist approach has reshaped India’s national security landscape.

The most significant marker of India’s internal security success is the transformation of Jammu & Kashmir. From a region plagued with frequent stone-pelting, separatist movements and terror attacks, today’s J&K is witnessing unprecedented peace and democratic participation. It has gone from PPP – Pakistan parasti and pathar baazi to DDD- Democracy, development and desh bhakti. Today Indian tricolour is seen from Lal Qila in Delhi to Lal Chowk in Srinagar and Ambedkar’s Constitution is implemented from Kashmir to Kanyakumari after removal of Art 370 and 35A.

Terror-related incidents in the Valley dropped by 69%, from over 7,200 cases (2004–14) to just 2,242 (2014–24). Civilian deaths fell by 68% and stone-pelting incidents reduced from 2,654 in 2010 to zero in 2023. This is the result of coordinated counter-terror operations, empowerment of local governance, and the bold decisions. The 2024 assembly elections in J&K recorded a historic 63% voter turnout, underscoring the return of normalcy.

Operation Sindoor in 2025, conducted in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, neutralised nine terror camps and 11 military bases across the border and deep inside Pakistan, destroying Lashkar and Jaish command centres and giving the state sponsor of terror a befitting blow. It marked the biggest counter-terror operation in Indian history and reiterated India’s resolve to dismantle terrorism at its roots by establishing a new normal.

India’s most prolonged internal threat—Left-Wing Extremism—has been systematically crushed under the Modi government. LWE incidents fell by 81% from 1,936 in 2010 to 374 in 2024 and deaths dropped by 85% from 1,005 to around 150. The number of affected districts reduced from 126 (2014) to just 38 (2024), while the “most affected” districts dropped from 12 to 6. By March 2026, we will have a Naxal Mukt Bharat as has been reiterated by HM Amit Shah.

Operations like Black Forest in Chhattisgarh led to the neutralisation of top Maoist leaders, including Basavaraju—the highest-ranked Maoist killed in 30 years. In 2024 alone, 290 Naxals were neutralised, 1,090 arrested and 881 surrendered.

For decades, Northeast India remained a conflict zone. However, the Modi government’s “Act East” policy turned the tide by focusing on dialogue, development and de-escalation. Over a dozen peace accords were signed with insurgent groups—including Bodo, Karbi and others. Inter-state border disputes, pending since decades under Congress governments, such as the Assam-Meghalaya and Assam-Arunachal boundary issues were resolved. Most importantly, AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act) was lifted from large parts of the region—a testament to the return of peace and normalcy. Earlier elections in North East were about bombs, blockade and bandhs. Today North East is about Booming Tourism and Business. Violent incidents in the Northeast have fallen by 68% and deaths by over 60% under the Modi era. Today, the region is more connected, integrated and secure than ever before with lakhs of crores of infrastructure projects being implemented and executed there. This has helped in ensuring our strategic interests too along the LAC with China. Earlier, the defence minister of Congress would say best strategy is to keep border areas underdeveloped. The Modi government has ensured that border villages and infrastructure is in line with the best in the world.

The government’s strategy wasn’t just strategic or military—it was institutional. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has emerged as India’s spearhead against terror. Since 2019, the NIA has achieved 354 convictions, including 105 in just 18 months with a 100% conviction rate in 2024 cases.

Over 660 anti-terror funding raids were conducted in 2024 alone, targeting Khalistani and Islamist Jihadi modules. This includes seizures of crores in cash and digital evidence.

The 2019 amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) empowered the government to designate individuals—not just organisations—as terrorists. The banned organisation list now includes 54 outfits, such as ISIS and Khalistan Tiger Force, tightening the net around radical networks. PFI too was banned. Sadly some political parties continue to have a soft corner for it.

Perhaps the most understated achievement of this government is the absence of any major terror attack in urban non-conflict zones—a stark contrast to the series of blasts and attacks we witnessed during the 10 years of UPA – from Delhit to Mumbai, Pune to Jaipur. Every city bore the brunt and post 26/11 too we took no action on Pakistan despite insistence of Fali H Major- the then Airforce Chief.

Today our template of response to terror has changed. Today we follow the “Ghar me ghus ke marenge” normal. Combined with a robust multi-layered strategy of pre-emptive intelligence coordination, modernisation of police forces under the Police Modernisation Scheme, enhanced border surveillance with CIBMS (Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System) and diplomatic pressure on terror-sponsoring nations we have been able to ensure a more secure Bharat.

Security is incomplete without justice. The Modi government launched the ICJS (Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System) to integrate courts, prisons, police and forensics. Over 90% of police stations in India are now connected via CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System).

Forensic infrastructure received a massive boost with new labs, DNA testing units and modern crime detection tools. Fast-track courts for UAPA cases and crimes against women have also expedited justice delivery.

Security goes beyond borders. India has emerged as a net security provider in the region.

India’s defence exports surged to Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25, while projects like the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant signal growing self-reliance. Meanwhile, India has globalised the counter terror narrative, making it central to international forums like the UN, G20, SCO and Brics.

The transformation in India’s internal security is not just statistical—it’s psychological and real. The world now knows that India does not tolerate terror. Citizens feel safer. The red corridor is retreating. Northeast is reconnecting and Jammu & Kashmir is rejoining the national mainstream.

This is not the India of helpless condemnations; this is the India of calibrated retaliation, institutional reform and strategic foresight. In the past 11 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and HM Amit Shah have not just enhanced India’s internal security—they have redefined it.

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