Amit Shah Calls for Impenetrable Anti-Terror Grid

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday outlined an ambitious overhaul of India’s internal security architecture, calling for the creation of an “impenetrable anti-terrorism grid” and announcing a “360-degree strike” strategy against organised crime. Addressing the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 in New Delhi, Shah said the measures were essential to safeguard future generations from evolving security threats.

Nationwide Anti-Terror Grid and ATS Uniformity

Shah emphasised the need for a countrywide upgrade of anti-terror infrastructure, urging states to adopt a common Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) structure. He said operational uniformity across states was critical for accurate threat assessment and swift response. The home minister also stressed replacing the traditional “need to know” approach with a “duty to share” principle to improve intelligence flow between central and state agencies.

Technology, Data Sharing, and Key Investigations

Highlighting the role of technology, Shah cautioned that tools and data developed in silos were ineffective. He cited recent investigations by Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies as examples of coordinated, technology-backed policing. Referring to the Delhi blast probe, he said vigilant officers had prevented a major crisis by dismantling an entire terror module and recovering large quantities of explosives in time.

360-Degree Strike on Organised Crime

The home minister announced that a comprehensive “360-degree strike” plan against organised crime was being developed. He underlined the close nexus between organised crime and terrorism, noting that criminal syndicates often turn into terror facilitators once their leadership relocates abroad. To counter this, Shah called for ruthless action to dismantle entire crime-terror ecosystems rather than isolated operations.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• Anti-Terrorism Conference is an annual event organised by the National Investigation Agency.
• Shah advocated a “duty to share” intelligence model over “need to know”.
• Organised crime and terrorism often share logistics and funding networks.
• Uniform ATS structures across states were proposed for better coordination.

New Digital Tools and Legal Measures

During the conference, Shah also launched updated digital tools, including an NIA crime manual, an Organised Crime Network Database, and a national database for lost and looted weapons. He advocated mandatory use of platforms like NATGRID and NIDAAN and supported the idea of trial-in-absentia for fugitives hiding abroad. Warning that India’s growing economy would face proportionate internal security challenges, Shah said decisive action taken today would define the nation’s safety in the decades ahead.