In a significant development in India’s fight against terrorism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a two-day anti-terror conference organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the national capital. During his address, Shah emphasized the need for a comprehensive strategy to dismantle the entire terror ecosystem.
Shah proposed the establishment of a Model Anti-terrorism Structure under the NIA’s purview, aiming to standardize the hierarchy, structure, and standard operating procedures (SoPs) of all anti-terrorism agencies across the country. This move is intended to facilitate better coordination between central and state agencies, ultimately strengthening India’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“All anti-terrorism agencies must adopt such a ruthless approach so that a new terrorist organization cannot be formed. The task of NIA, ATS, and STF should not be limited to investigation but they should also think out of the box and take innovative measures to counter terrorism,” Shah stated during his address, as quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shah stressed the importance of collaboration at both the national and international levels, emphasizing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has taken a tough stance on various challenges, including crypto, hawala, terror-funding, and organized crime syndicates. These efforts have yielded positive results, with several database verticals being established over the last five years.
To further enhance India’s counter-terrorism capabilities, Shah called for a common training module for all central and state-level counter-terrorism agencies, promoting uniformity in the methodology of combating terrorism. He urged the NIA and Intelligence Bureau to take the lead in implementing this initiative.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, Shah noted that the number of terrorist incidents in India has significantly decreased from 6,000 in 2001 to 900 in 2022 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
The conference also emphasized the importance of leveraging data and technology in the fight against terrorism. The Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) has been implemented in numerous police stations, connecting over 22,000 courts through e-Court and providing access to extensive prisoner data.
Furthermore, initiatives like Integrated Monitoring of Terrorism (i-MoT) and the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAN) have contributed to a more robust counter-terrorism infrastructure.
The conference serves as a platform for various agencies to enhance cooperation and share insights, ultimately bolstering India’s capacity to combat terrorism effectively.
In conclusion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call for a ruthless approach and improved coordination among anti-terrorism agencies underscores India’s commitment to eradicating the terror ecosystem and maintaining national security.
Sources By Agencies
