In a significant move to bolster its counter-terrorism framework, the Bihar Police is set to establish four new regional offices of its specialized Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). This expansion aims to decentralize and strengthen the state's security apparatus against extremist threats.
Strategic Expansion of ATS Network
The proposal, prepared by the police headquarters, has been sent to the state's home department for final approval. Once sanctioned, new ATS regional offices will be operational in Gaya, Motihari, Darbhanga, and Purnia, supplementing the existing headquarters in Patna. This network will link surrounding districts to these key nodal points for a more coordinated response.
Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Pankaj Kumar Darad, addressing a press conference on Monday, stated that the formation of these offices will significantly enhance the operational capacity of the ATS. Each regional office will be commanded by an officer of Deputy Superintendent of Police rank and will work in parallel with the Special Branch units present in all districts.
Enhanced Monitoring and Intelligence Mandate
The primary responsibility of these new units will be to vigilantly monitor terrorism-related activities. Their mandate also extends to keeping a close watch on religious extremism, anti-national elements, and organized criminal activities. ADG Darad emphasized the ATS's focused monitoring in border areas and its continuous intelligence gathering on individuals released from jail after being imprisoned under charges related to anti-national activities.
Highlighting the success of the ATS's social media monitoring unit, Darad revealed that it has identified 176 individuals linked to extremist ideology. Out of these, 12 persons with hyper-extremist and fanatical tendencies were successfully motivated and counselled to renounce their radical views.
Grassroots Intelligence and Specialized Training
To fortify intelligence collection at the ground level, the police have deployed one officer and one constable specifically for intelligence gathering in every police station across Bihar's districts. These personnel are tasked with collecting vital information on drug trafficking, illegal liquor trade, terrorism, and other major crimes, and ensuring its flow from the district level to the headquarters. They work in close coordination with the district-level Counter Anti-Terrorism (CAT) teams.
Furthermore, the specialized SWAT (Special Weapon and Tactics) team under the ATS is actively securing the state's vital installations. It monitors 257 sensitive establishments. Mock drills and reconnaissance exercises were conducted in 194 such locations last year and 41 this year. To ensure top-tier proficiency, 176 ATS commandos have received specialized training at the National Security Guard (NSG) centres in Manesar and Kolkata.
Crackdown on Criminal Assets
ADG Darad also detailed the aggressive implementation of property seizure proceedings against criminals under Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The police have identified 1,421 criminals for such action. Proposals against 407 persons have been forwarded to the concerned courts. Proceedings are ongoing against 80 criminals, and the property of three has already been confiscated. The named individuals include Kumar Ranjan Omkar of Begusarai district, Rakesh Kumar alias Chunnu Thakur of Muzaffarpur district, and Deepak Kumar of Vaishali district.
In a broader preventive action drive, the police took steps against a staggering 12,69,616 people from January to December 22 of this year, underscoring the scale of the state's law and order maintenance efforts.
