Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Ajay Singhal on Tuesday announced that the state’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) is likely to begin operations from June 1.
The decision has been taken in the wake of the busting of an alleged white-collar terror module involving doctors at Al-Falah University in Faridabad last year.
The ATS will have two police stations, one in Panchkula and another in Gurugram. “An IG-level officer will head the ATS. Two to three SP-rank officers will be part of the team,” Singhal said during a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Panchkula.
It is pertinent to mention here that around 15 people were killed in the blast near the Red Fort on November 10, 2025, and the roles of several doctors linked to the Al-Falah University, Faridabad, and from Kashmir came under the scanner of probe agencies. There was a seizure of about 2,900 kg of explosives from two rooms in Faridabad.
Earlier, intelligence gathering on terrorist activity in Haryana Police was with the CID. But now, the ATS will conduct operations, investigations, and intelligence gathering.
As similar units are functional in Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir, the formation of ATS was fast-tracked in the state after the Al-Falah case.
NCRB data
While commenting on the National Crime Records Bureau data, the DGP said that the state ranks fourth in crime rate under IPC/BNS and fifth under Special Local Laws in India. He added that this was largely due to cases of power theft, numbering between 40,000 and 50,000, as well as missing persons (18,913 in 2024).
“There is free registration of cases. After an investigation, Haryana is ranked second in India for case cancellations. We want people to have trust in the police, so the free registration policy would continue,” he added.
He pointed out that all murder cases took place recently have been solved.
Regarding encounters, he denied that the police deliberately fired at the legs of the gangsters. However, he accused the media of sensationalising gangsters.
Constable died of heatwave
While replying to questions, Singhal said that due to the heatwave, a constable died in Fatehabad. He was posted at a check post. “There are 200 check posts that work around the clock across the state. We have provided coolers there, and also a liquid diet to keep them hydrated,” he said.
He added that over 40 constables have also been removed from check-post duties.