Haryana Govt notifies Anti-Terrorism Squad, sets up NSG-style commando force

The Haryana Government on Thursday notified the constitution of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), creating a specialised force tasked with counter-terror operations, intelligence gathering, investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases.

The ATS will be headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police and function under the command and control of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Its organisational structure has been designed as a multi-tiered framework to tackle evolving security challenges.

A specially trained commando force, modelled on the lines of the National Security Guard (NSG), will form part of the ATS and will be deployed for rapid-response operations and sensitive missions.

An Intelligence and Operations Branch will identify, monitor and apprehend terrorist organisations and their operatives. A dedicated ATS Police Station will also be established for specialised investigation of terrorism and related offences. The police station will house legal, financial investigation and forensic units under one roof.

To enhance technological capabilities, several specialised wings will support the ATS. A Cyber and Technical Intelligence Unit will monitor open-source intelligence, the dark web and suspicious online activities. A Data Analysis and Interception Unit will collect and evaluate intelligence inputs through advanced analytical systems.

The ATS will also have a De-Radicalisation Unit tasked with conducting community awareness and rehabilitation programmes aimed at protecting youth from extremist ideologies. In addition, a Training and Research Wing will conduct periodic skill upgrade programmes, refresher courses and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to keep personnel abreast of evolving counter-terrorism practices.

According to the notification, the ATS will be responsible for responding to terrorist incidents and threats, investigating and prosecuting terrorism-related offences, collecting and disseminating actionable intelligence, coordinating with other agencies, maintaining terrorism-related databases, undertaking research and analysis, and ensuring continuous training of personnel.

DGP Ajay Singhal said Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini viewed security as the state’s highest priority.

“Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini firmly believes that the security of the state is the highest priority and that no laxity whatsoever can be permitted in the fight against terrorism,” Singhal said.

Expressing confidence in the new force, he added that the constitution of the ATS would further strengthen Haryana’s law-and-order framework.

The move comes in the backdrop of a series of security incidents in and around the region. About 15 people were killed in a blast near Delhi’s Red Fort on November 10, 2025, while investigators had examined the alleged role of several individuals linked to Al Falah University and Kashmir during the probe. Authorities had also seized around 2,900 kg of explosives from two rooms in Faridabad.

In Haryana, attacks were reported on the Baldev Nagar police station in Ambala in January 2026 and on the Women Police Station in Sirsa in November 2025.

Till now, intelligence gathering related to terrorist activities in Haryana was handled by the CID. With the notification of the ATS, the specialised force will independently undertake intelligence gathering, investigations and counter-terror operations.