Karnataka Police Move to Create Unified Anti-Terrorism Squad
The Karnataka Police have initiated consultations to establish a dedicated Anti-Terrorism Squad. This move follows a clear directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He called for uniform ATS structures across all Indian states during a national anti-terrorism conference.
Addressing the Coordination Challenge
Currently, multiple units handle anti-terrorism work in Karnataka. These include the state Intelligence Department, the Internal Security Division, and various city-based anti-terrorism cells. This fragmented system creates significant coordination problems.
Police sources confirm the issue. "The presence of multiple units dealing with the same issue causes difficulties," they said. Central agencies often face confusion about which Karnataka unit to contact for intelligence sharing. The proposed ATS aims to consolidate these functions into a single, streamlined body.
The National Push for Uniformity
Union Home Minister Amit Shah made his case for uniformity at the 'Anti-Terrorism Conference' in New Delhi on December 26, 2025. He addressed police chiefs from across the nation. Shah emphasized that a common ATS structure is "extremely important" for national security.
"A common ATS structure and operational uniformity give us an advantage," Shah stated. He argued that without it, accurate threat assessment and coordinated counteractions become difficult. The minister also urged all state squads to fully utilize national databases like NATGRID for superior intelligence gathering.
Karnataka's Existing Framework
Karnataka's Internal Security Division (ISD) was formed in 2008 after terrorist attacks in Bengaluru. However, it has not functioned as a typical ATS. A senior police officer explained the distinction.
"The ISD has functioned primarily as a counter-intelligence agency," the officer said. "It does not actively investigate terrorism cases like ATS units in other states." The ISD's broad mandate covers areas from hawala transactions to organized crime.
In recent years, a smaller counter-intelligence unit within the state Intelligence Department has taken the lead on anti-terror activities. Proposals to bolster this unit with manpower from the larger ISD have been rejected by police leadership.
The Path Forward for Karnataka
Director General of Police M A Saleem held a key meeting on January 5, 2026. He discussed the ATS formation with officials from existing anti-terrorism units. The consultation aligns with prescriptions from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to sources, the Karnataka Police are considering a specific merger. The plan involves combining the anti-terrorism unit from the state Intelligence Department with a specialized team drawn from the ISD. This would create the new, unified ATS.
With the Union Home Minister's directive in place, the Karnataka Police are expected to draft a formal proposal. They will submit this new ATS structure to the state government for final approval and clearance. The move seeks to enhance coordination with national agencies like the NIA and improve the state's counter-terrorism capabilities.
