New Delhi: The two-day Anti-Terror Conference 2023 commenced in the national capital on October 5, addressing critical topics in the realm of counterterrorism. Hosted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the conference saw the participation of prominent figures such as Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, and Director Generals of Police from various states and Central Armed Police Forces. Officers from Special Task Forces (STF), Anti-Terrorism Squads (ATS), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate, and the Special Cell of Delhi Police, among others, also attended the event.
The conference covered various topics over its two days, including dismantling terror ecosystems, best practices in terror investigations, trends in terror funding and countermeasures, the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other legal provisions to combat terrorism and crime, and the utilization of investigative intelligence through digital forensics and data analytics.
The event's agenda included discussions on specific case studies related to targeted killings, infiltration of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, the Gorakhnath Temple attack in Uttar Pradesh, espionage, challenges in detecting and investigating transnational crimes, Khalistani terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, illegal arms manufacturing, and trafficking issues.
Sessions also delved into topics like ISIS modules, financial intelligence generation for terror funding investigations by the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND), terror funding offenses, money laundering, cryptocurrency-related terror funding, and case studies on terror funding and the use of terror-related legal provisions. The conference aimed to facilitate discussions on important terror-related judgments, chip-off forensics, metadata, capacity building of state Law Enforcement Agencies, iMOT, drone forensics, GANDIV and its utilities, as well as challenges in digital and cyber forensics.
The valedictory session of the conference on October 6 was chaired by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. In his remarks, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized the central government's commitment to eradicating terrorism in India, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of zero tolerance for terrorism. The conference sought to address critical aspects of counterterrorism and foster close coordination among various agencies and state forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism.