Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on Friday, underscored the importance of strengthening India’s counter-terror framework through uniformity, coordination, and technology-driven intelligence sharing, calling for a common Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) structure across all states. Speaking at the inauguration of 'Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025’ in New Delhi, he outlined a roadmap to enhance preparedness, improve inter-agency cooperation, and ensure a more effective response to emerging and complex security threats.
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Shah stressed the need for a common ATS structure for the police force across the country and asked the Director Generals of Police from the states to implement it as soon as possible. He said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has worked very hard to come up with a common ATS structure and has sent it to the police forces of the states.
The home minister noted that when a common ATS structure is established across the entire country, it provides an opportunity for uniform preparation at every level.
He said all states’ ATS units should regularly use the National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN) and the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), as using these during investigations ensures that cases are not examined in isolation and helps uncover hidden links between them. He emphasised that NATGRID should be made mandatory for certain types of investigations, and NIDAAN should be mandatory for specific categories of cases.
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The home minister also said that active participation in the Multi-Agency Centre and the National Memory Bank must be ensured. According to him, a common ATS structure and operational uniformity provide a strong advantage in prosecuting terrorists. Without operational uniformity, it is not possible to accurately assess threats, effectively share intelligence, or carry out coordinated counteractions. He stressed the need to maintain uniformity from investigation through prosecution and counter-action.
The home minister further said that to address cyber and information warfare, the misuse of economic networks, and the hybrid nature of terrorism, a strong national grid-based mechanism is required—one that is alert and capable of quick, result-oriented action. He noted that such objectives can be achieved only through platforms like these conferences. He added that developing a multi-layered security model and adopting a tough approach against terrorism are essential to remain secure in the future.
He said that all agencies should move forward with the principle of 'Duty to Share' rather than 'Need to Know.' While central agencies and state police have effectively used technology at their own levels, he pointed out that technology and data developed in silos are ineffective, like a gun without bullets. He said it would be better if all data systems could communicate with one another and were built using common technology. For this purpose, he suggested that the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIA, and IB hold discussions to create a seamless national-level framework for technology and data, and support states in strengthening it.
Hailing the Jammu and Kashmir Police for carrying out an excellent investigation into the explosion case linked to Delhi, Shah said three tonnes of explosives were recovered before they could be used, and the entire group involved in planning the plot was arrested before the Delhi blast could occur. He said that the investigation of the entire network was conducted very effectively by all agencies involved.