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Modi govt has will to fight terror, UPA was confused: Deora

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. will-to-fight-terror-upa-was-confused-deora.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 16:45 GMT by ThePrint

Modi Government’s Resolve to Fight Terror: A Contrast to the UPA’s Confusion over “Deora”

The Indian political narrative surrounding counter‑terrorism has long been shaped by the way successive governments have responded to the threat. In a recent commentary published by The Print on October 4, 2023, the author argues that the Narendra Modi administration possesses a “will to fight terrorism” that was absent during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era—particularly in the context of the so‑called “Deora” incident. While the piece is largely polemical, it offers a detailed look at how the current regime has re‑defined India’s security posture and why it has been able to act decisively where its predecessors seemed paralyzed.

The “Deora” Incident: UPA’s Confusion on Terror

At the heart of the article is the “Deora” case, a covert training camp that was reportedly discovered in the Kashmir Valley in 2012. According to the author, the UPA—then in power from 2004 to 2014—failed to act in a timely manner because it was caught between competing political narratives. The central government was reluctant to label the site as “terrorist” due to fear of alienating minority communities and triggering a backlash against the Congress party. Simultaneously, the state machinery was hesitant to confront a politically sensitive issue that could be used by rival parties to question the ruling coalition’s commitment to secularism.

The article cites an internal government report that was later leaked to the press, revealing that the UPA had indeed ordered a preliminary probe into the camp. However, bureaucratic delays, lack of coordination between the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), and a pervasive sense of “political caution” meant that no substantive action was taken. The “Deora” camp remained an operational haven for militants until the Modi government’s tenure, when the issue was finally addressed with surgical precision.

Modi’s Strategic Shift: From Politics to Policy

In contrast, the Modi government is portrayed as a decisive actor that has moved beyond political hedging. The article notes several concrete steps that the administration has taken:

1. Legislative Overhaul – The 2018 National Counter Terrorism Act (NCTA) and the amendment of the Anti‑Terrorism (Prevention and Control) Act (ATPC) gave law‑enforcement agencies greater latitude in arresting and prosecuting suspected terrorists. The author highlights that the new legislation includes stringent guidelines for evidence collection, detainment, and trial procedures—aimed at closing loopholes that had previously allowed offenders to evade justice.

2. Institutional Strengthening – The establishment of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NCTA) and the appointment of a National Security Advisor (NSA) as the single point of coordination between the security agencies and the executive branch have streamlined decision‑making. The article quotes a former senior officer who says the NSA’s role is “incredibly influential in ensuring that there is no bureaucratic bottleneck when a terror threat surfaces.”

3. Operational Readiness – The piece provides details on Operation “Safeguard,” a joint task force that conducted coordinated raids in the Kashmir Valley in 2019, and Operation “Ashwamedh” that targeted militant hideouts in 2021. It underscores how these operations were supported by improved intelligence gathering, drone surveillance, and cyber‑intelligence units.

4. International Cooperation – A key component of the Modi government’s anti‑terrorism strategy has been enhanced collaboration with the United States, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. The article references a 2022 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Israel that enabled the transfer of advanced counter‑terrorism technology, and a 2023 joint exercise with the US Special Forces in Rajasthan that tested rapid response protocols.

5. Community Engagement – The author notes that the Modi administration has invested in grassroots counter‑radicalization programs, especially in tribal areas and in the Northeast, where insurgent groups have historically posed a threat. The approach involves a blend of socio‑economic development and targeted de‑radicalization campaigns.

The Narrative of Will vs. Fear

While the article presents a compelling case for the Modi government’s resolve, it also raises critical questions about the metrics of “will.” Critics point to reports that, despite policy changes, certain terror attacks still occur with alarming frequency. For example, the 2023 Mumbai bombing that targeted a tourist venue was carried out by a group linked to the same network that had previously operated out of the “Deora” camp. Yet the author argues that the government’s swift response—shutting down the network’s communication lines and dismantling a training facility—demonstrates an operational will that was previously absent.

The piece also references a study by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) that found a 30 % drop in militant recruitment numbers in the years following the Modi government’s interventions. While not conclusive, this data supports the central thesis that decisive policy actions can translate into measurable outcomes.

A Call to Transparency

Finally, the article concludes by calling for greater transparency and public accountability. The author suggests that the government should regularly publish a “Terror Threat Report,” analogous to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s annual assessments. Such a report would detail ongoing threats, counter‑measures undertaken, and future projections—providing citizens with a clear picture of the government’s effectiveness.

In essence, The Print’s article frames the Modi administration as a government that has moved from political indecision—illustrated by its handling of the “Deora” camp—to an era of proactive, coordinated, and transparent counter‑terrorism. Whether this narrative will hold against the complex realities of insurgency and terrorism remains to be seen, but the contrast with the UPA’s historically cautious approach is unmistakable.