In New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 'Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025' on Friday, calling for a nationwide strengthening of anti-terror infrastructure by creating an "impenetrable anti-terrorism grid" to protect future generations from evolving threats. Shah also announced an upcoming "360-degree strike" plan against organized crime. The two-day conference was organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Shah emphasized the importance of analyzing terrorist incidents in India and worldwide to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities. He noted the changing landscape of terrorism due to technology and urged security agencies to stay ahead of these advancements. He stressed the need to build a strong anti-terrorism framework to face future challenges.
Shah advocated for operational uniformity to ensure accurate threat assessments, effective intelligence sharing, and coordinated action. He pushed for a common Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) structure across all states and urged Directors General of Police to implement it promptly.
The Home Minister addressed the growing threat of organized crime, highlighting the links between criminal networks involved in extortion and terrorism, particularly when leaders flee abroad. He revealed that the government is preparing an action plan to launch a 360-degree strike against organized crime. He directed states to eliminate organized crime networks within their jurisdictions, guided by the NIA and CBI, with the Intelligence Bureau's cooperation, using shared databases.
Shah also launched digital tools including an updated crime manual prepared by the NIA, the Organised Crime Network Database, and the Lost, Looted and Recovered Weapon Database. He said the Organised Crime Network Database will help states identify and dismantle such networks in coordination with the NIA, CBI, and IB.
He also said that everyone should move forward with the principle of "Duty to Share" instead of "Need to Know" policy. While acknowledging that the central agencies and state police had made good use of technology at their respective levels, Shah pointed out that technology developed in silos and data collected in silos were "like a gun without bullets".
Referring to the recent terror incidents, Shah said that the attack in Baisaran Valley was meant to disturb communal harmony and damage the new wave of development and tourism in Kashmir. He added that based on precise intelligence, Indian security forces neutralised the terrorists and sent a strong message to Pakistan. Shah revealed that Indian forces executed a dual-strategy of retribution through "Operation Sindoor," which punished the masterminds, and "Operation Mahadev," which eliminated the ground-level executors.
