Unified ATS

The central government took a decisive step to strengthen the country's anti-terror framework. The decision to implement a unified Anti-Terrorism System is part of it. The important announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah while inaugurating the anti-terror conference organised in Delhi. This move will help the authorities accurately assess the threats related to terrorism, effectively share intelligence information, and coordinate and execute operations by various agencies. A major blast plan prepared by terrorists targeting major cities of the country was foiled in November. The investigation, which began on the basis of intelligence received from Jammu and Kashmir, progressed through the joint work of the police, ATS and various agencies of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. More than 3000 kg of explosives were seized from Faridabad in Haryana. A white-collar terrorist network was busted. Just when he was about to be caught, Dr Umar Nabi of the terrorist group turned a suicide bomber near the Red Fort on November 10.

15 people, including the terrorist, were killed. More than 20 people were injured. The NIA investigation is progressing, including the planning, which is believed to have taken place in foreign countries. The main suspect is unsurprisingly Pakistan.

The coordination between the ATS in the states and other security agencies in the country, including the exchange of intelligence information, was effective in closing the terror network and thereby averting a major tragedy. At the same time, a terrorist waiting to blow up among crowds in a historically relevant Red Fort area, evading the authorities’ knowledge, raises concern. Taking this into account, the central government has concluded that implementing a common ATS structure by integrating the Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) in the states would be beneficial in combating and preventing terrorist activities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been appointed to develop a common framework.

The NIA has already handed over the outline of the unified ATS system to the state police forces. It has also instructed the DGPs to implement it in the states. The Union Home Minister had congratulated the police systems and agencies, including the ATS in the states, for dismantling the white-collar terror network and for the efficient investigation in the Delhi blast case. Amit Shah also asked the ATS units in the states to utilise national intelligence platforms such as the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco Offenders (NIDAAN) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID). There is a link between organised crime and terrorism. To combat this, the Central Government prepared the Organised Crime Network Database and the revised NIA Crime Manual.

India currently holds a crucial position in the global power structure. Expect attempts from many quarters to disrupt the nation's advance towards development. It is hoped that a unified ATS system will be able to anticipate all this and effectively thwart the threat of terrorist attacks.