National counterterror strategy on anvil: Shah

The Centre will soon bring a national counter-terrorism policy and strategy to fight extremists and their ecosystem, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Thursday as he urged security agencies to use the stringent anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), "without hesitation" whenever necessary.

- Neeraj Chauhan

Addressing an anti-terrorism conference in the Capital, Shah called upon different agencies to work in close coordination to deal with terrorism.

"We need to work together to fight terrorism, terrorists, and their ecosystem. And that's why we will soon introduce a new national counterterrorism policy and strategy in which you all will play a key role," he said in his address to chiefs of central security agencies, different state police, and senior security officers at the two-day "Anti-Terror Conference-2024" organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

The senior minister said that the menace of terrorism was not curtailed by geographic boundaries, as he urged the security agencies at the Centre and state level to work in close coordination, chalk out joint strategies, and use technology adequately.

"Terrorism has no boundaries, but state investigative agencies have their own boundaries, so all states should lay emphasis on assistance from NIA and increase coordination with agencies fighting terrorism," he said.