Shah Urges Terror Case Analysis, Tech Boost for Counter-Terrorism
Home Minister Amit Shah calls for analyzing past terror cases and boosting tech capabilities for counter-terrorism.
Photo by Viorel Vașadi
Here's the core message: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called for a comprehensive analysis of all terror incidents, both domestic and global, from the past year to significantly enhance India's counter-terrorism capabilities. Speaking at the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025, he unveiled crucial tools like the NIA's updated crime manual, the Organised Crime Network Database, and the Lost/Looted and Recovered Weapon Database.
Shah emphasized that the landscape of terrorism is rapidly changing due to technology and highlighted how terror groups increasingly use ransom and extortion proceeds, often from leaders operating abroad, to fund their activities. He stressed the need for a common Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) structure across states for uniform preparedness and effective intelligence sharing.
Key Facts
Home Minister Amit Shah called for analysis of past terror incidents to boost counter-terrorism capabilities.
Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 organized by NIA.
NIA's updated crime manual, Organised Crime Network Database, and Lost/Looted and Recovered Weapon Database unveiled.
Terrorism landscape is changing due to technology.
Terror groups use ransom/extortion proceeds for funding.
Call for a common Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) structure across states.
UPSC Exam Angles
Internal Security challenges and strategies (GS-3)
Federalism and Centre-State relations in law enforcement (GS-2)
Role of central agencies like NIA (GS-2)
Impact of technology on security and governance (GS-3)
Terror financing and organized crime nexus (GS-3)
Visual Insights
India's Counter-Terrorism Grid: NIA & ATS Presence (2025)
This map illustrates the pan-India operational reach of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the presence of Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) in various states. It highlights the geographical spread of India's counter-terrorism efforts and underscores the Union Home Minister's call for a common ATS structure for uniform preparedness and effective intelligence sharing across the nation.
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More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding India's counter-terrorism framework: 1. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) can investigate scheduled offences committed anywhere in India without obtaining prior consent from the State Government. 2. Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) are central agencies established under the Ministry of Home Affairs to combat terrorism across all states. 3. The NIA's jurisdiction extends to offences committed outside India, subject to international treaties and domestic laws. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
Statement 1 is correct. The NIA Act, 2008, empowers the NIA to investigate scheduled offences across states without requiring prior permission from state governments, which is a significant departure from traditional police powers. Statement 2 is incorrect. Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS) are specialized units of state police forces, not central agencies. They operate under the respective state governments. Statement 3 is correct. The NIA Act was amended in 2019 to allow the agency to investigate scheduled offences committed outside India, subject to international treaties and domestic laws, further expanding its mandate to address cross-border terrorism.
2. In the context of recent discussions on enhancing India's counter-terrorism capabilities, consider the following statements: 1. The Organised Crime Network Database (OCND) is primarily designed to track financial transactions related to terror funding through official banking channels. 2. The recent emphasis on terror groups using ransom and extortion proceeds from leaders operating abroad highlights a shift towards state-sponsored terrorism. 3. The Lost/Looted and Recovered Weapon Database aims to create a national repository for firearms to aid in crime investigation and counter-terrorism. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.3 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.2 and 3 only
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect. While the OCND aims to map linkages between terror groups and criminal syndicates, its primary focus is on the network itself, including illicit channels, rather than just official banking transactions. Terror funding often bypasses official channels. Statement 2 is incorrect. The use of ransom and extortion proceeds by terror groups, even from leaders operating abroad, indicates their reliance on illicit private funding mechanisms, not necessarily a shift towards state-sponsored terrorism. State-sponsored terrorism implies direct support from a state actor. Statement 3 is correct. The Lost/Looted and Recovered Weapon Database, as its name suggests, is intended to create a centralized database of firearms to assist law enforcement agencies in tracking weapons, which is vital for crime investigation and counter-terrorism efforts.
3. Assertion (A): A common Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) structure across states is crucial for effective counter-terrorism in India. Reason (R): The rapidly changing landscape of terrorism, driven by technology, necessitates uniform preparedness and seamless intelligence sharing among states. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true. The news explicitly states the Home Minister's call for a common ATS structure for uniform preparedness and effective intelligence sharing. Reason (R) accurately describes the underlying necessity for such a common structure: terrorism's evolving nature due to technology demands a unified and coordinated response across state borders, which is facilitated by uniform preparedness and seamless intelligence sharing. Therefore, R is the correct explanation for A.