Haryana Chief Minister Announces Formation of Anti-Terrorist Squad in Response to Security Threats
In a significant move to bolster state security, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced on Monday the establishment of an Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) for the state. This decision comes months after the exposure of a radicalised 'white-coat' terror module connected to Al-Falah University in Faridabad and a series of espionage cases traced to Nuh and other districts.
Details of the New Anti-Terrorist Squad
Presenting the budget, Saini revealed that the ATS will function under an officer of Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank. Two dedicated ATS police stations are set to be established—one in Gurgaon and another in Panchkula—with a proposed cost of Rs 35.5 crore. Additionally, the chief minister proposed the induction of women commandos into the unit, emphasizing inclusivity and enhanced operational capabilities.
Background and Urgency Behind the Decision
According to sources, the urgency for forming the ATS escalated after investigative agencies uncovered the Al-Falah-linked module and made arrests related to the November 10 car blast near Delhi's Red Fort, which resulted in 15 fatalities and multiple injuries. Police investigations revealed that the module was allegedly operated by a group of doctors, with Dr Shahin Shaheed believed to be the head, maintaining contact with terrorists based abroad.
As the probe expanded, searches conducted around the university's vicinity led to the recovery of nearly 2,900 kg of explosive and flammable materials, along with an arsenal of weapons and components. Key items seized from rented premises near the campus included:
- A Krinkov assault rifle with three magazines
- 83 live cartridges
- A pistol with eight live rounds
- Additional magazines, timers, batteries, remotes, and communication equipment
These recoveries were made from two houses in Dhauj village and Dehar Colony in Fatehpur Taga, both located close to Al-Falah University.
Mandate and Coordination of the ATS
Senior officials clarified that the ATS will have a distinct mandate separate from the state's Special Task Force (STF), which is headquartered in Gurgaon. While the STF primarily targets organized crime and gang networks, the ATS will focus exclusively on terror networks, radicalisation, and related investigations. The new unit is expected to serve as a single-point coordination mechanism for intelligence sharing and joint operations with central agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and ATS units in other states.
Addressing Past Coordination Challenges
Officials highlighted that Haryana's previous lack of a dedicated ATS had led to avoidable friction in sensitive cases. For instance, in the Faridabad module investigation, initial handling was done by Jammu & Kashmir Police and Faridabad cops, with central agencies like the NIA joining later, primarily after the Delhi blast. The state STF also intervened much later. A senior Haryana Police officer noted, "Coordination could have been better. That experience showed why Haryana needs a specialised anti-terror unit for quicker response, smoother intelligence exchange, and coordinated action."
National Context and Standardisation Efforts
The push for a more standardised anti-terror architecture has been emphasized at the national level. At the 'Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025' in New Delhi last December, Union Home Minister Amit Shah advocated for a common ATS structure across states and urged police chiefs to adopt operational uniformity. This includes utilizing investigative platforms such as 'NIDAAN' and 'NATGRID' to prevent isolated probes and detect hidden linkages in terror networks.
