BJP Urges Delhi to Greenlight Federal Anti-Terror Agency Amid Mounting Threats

In a powerful statement reflecting heightened concerns over national security, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra has issued a pressing call to the Delhi government: swiftly approve the establishment of a robust federal anti-terror agency. This urgent appeal comes amidst a backdrop of escalating terror threats across the nation and in the immediate aftermath of devastating incidents like the Jaipur blasts, underscoring a palpable demand for more decisive and unified action against terrorism.

Malhotra, articulate in his advocacy, highlighted Delhi's precarious position.

As the nation's capital, its status as a "soft target" combined with its strategic proximity to sensitive borders renders it acutely vulnerable to nefarious terror plots. He emphasized that the existing framework, while diligent, is hampered by significant operational limitations that a federal body could seamlessly overcome.

Critiquing the current security apparatus, Malhotra pointed out a critical loophole: intelligence agencies, despite their crucial role in gathering vital information, often lack the essential powers of arrest and prosecution.

This disconnect, he argued, creates a significant barrier in swift and effective counter-terror operations. Furthermore, state police forces, though capable within their jurisdictions, face inherent challenges when confronting terror networks that often operate across state lines, demanding a pan-Indian approach.

Drawing upon painful historical lessons, the BJP leader recalled the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, lamenting that a unified, federal anti-terror body at that time could have potentially provided a more cohesive and potent response.

Such an agency, he asserted, would be equipped to transcend geographical boundaries and bureaucratic hurdles, fostering seamless coordination and intelligence sharing vital for preemptive and reactive measures against terrorism.

The push for such an agency is not entirely new; the then-UPA government had also been deliberating the formation of a similar entity, specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

However, Malhotra's recent statement injects a renewed sense of urgency into these discussions, urging immediate action from the Delhi government to pave the way for this critical security enhancement. His plea resonates as a powerful reminder of the continuous vigilance and adaptive strategies required to safeguard the lives and security of citizens against the ever-evolving threat of terrorism.