Uttar Pradesh Anti–Terrorist Squad

Uttar Pradesh Anti—Terrorist Squad
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AbbreviationUP ATS
Agency overview
Formed2007
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionUttar Pradesh, IN
Governing bodyGovernment of Uttar Pradesh
General nature
Operational structure
HeadquartersLucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Agency executive
Parent agencyUttar Pradesh Police
Website
uppolice.gov.in/article/en/about-us-ats

Uttar Pradesh Anti–Terrorist Squad (UP ATS) is a specialised anti-terrorism unit of the Uttar Pradesh Police, established on 7 August 2007, headquarters in Lucknow with the objective of preventing terrorist activities in the state, investigating terrorism-related crimes and countering activities against national security.

History

The Uttar Pradesh government established the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) in November 2007 to address the growing terrorist activities and national security challenges in the state. It was formed as a specialised unit of the Uttar Pradesh Police, tasked with gathering intelligence related to terrorist organisations and anti-national elements, preventing terrorism-related crimes, and conducting operations as needed.[1]

It was shifted to a new headquarters in Anaura, Lucknow on 19 November 2016. Given the state's vast borders and the challenges posed by terrorism and Naxalism, in 2017 the Uttar Pradesh government established the Special Police Operations Team (SPOT) within the ATS, equipped with specialised training, modern weapons, and advanced technology.[2]

The unit gathers intelligence, conducts operations and coordinates with other central and state security agencies in cases related to terrorism,extremism, radicalisation, espionage, terror financing and other anti-national activities. In 2017, the Uttar Pradesh government formed the Special Police Operations Team (SPOT) to strengthen its operational capability.[3]

Organisation

The unit is headed by an officer of the rank of Director General of Police. The field units and operations teams are deployed in various districts of the state. Several specialised units have been established at the headquarters to support operational tasks. Given the state's vast borders and challenges such as terrorism and Naxalism, the Special Police Operations Team (SPOT) was formed within the ATS in 2017. SPOT is equipped with specialised training, modern weapons, and advanced technology to ensure swift and effective action in counter-terrorism operations.[4][5][6]

Operations

The squad investigates and conducts operations related to terrorism, insurgency, espionage, terror financing, and radicalisation in the state. Since its inception, the unit has busted suspected modules linked to various terrorist organisations, arrested several terrorists and their associates, and conducted joint operations with central security agencies. Its major operations include the 2017 Lucknow anti-terrorism operation, investigations into espionage cases linked to the ISI, and actions against modules linked to ISIS, Al-Qaeda, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and other banned organisations.[7]

2017 Lucknow Encounter

On 7 March 2017, following the Bhopal-Ujjain passenger train bombings in Madhya Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) surrounded a house in the Thakurganj area of ​​Lucknow, acting on information from central intelligence agencies. Suspected terrorist Saifullah refused to surrender and opened fire on security forces. He was killed after an hour-long operation. Investigations revealed the module's alleged links to ISIS. This operation is considered one of the UP ATS's earliest major anti-terrorism operations.[8]

2017 ISI Espionage Case

In May 2017, the UP ATS, in a joint operation with military intelligence agencies, arrested Aftab Ali from Faizabad (now Ayodhya). According to the agency, he was accused of passing information on Indian Army activities to Pakistan's ISI. Altaf Bhai Qureshi was also arrested in Mumbai in the same case, allegedly for transferring funds through hawala. This case was widely reported as a major counter-espionage operation by the team.[9]

2023 Rohingya operation

In 2023, the squad conducted a six-district operation resulting in the arrest of 74 Rohingya refugees for entering without valid documents from Bangladesh.[10] The state government framed the action as part of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's initiative to monitor undocumented residents. The ATS reported that the arrests occurred in Mathura, Aligarh (17), Hapur (16), Ghaziabad (4), Meerut (4), and Saharanpur (2), involving 55 men, 14 women, and 5 minors.[11] While certain refugees express a desire for repatriation, official reports link specific individuals to militant organizations, including the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).[12]

Investigations

​They took over the investigation into the 7 December 2010 Varanasi bombing. The attack, carried out by the Indian Mujahideen at Sheetla Ghat during the evening aarti, targeted crowded banks along the Ganges River, leaving one dead and more than 38 injured.[13]

Campaigns

In April 2017, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UP ATS), led by Inspector General Aseem Arun, launched a de-radicalisation program titled Ghar Wapsi ("Homecoming").[14][15] The initiative was introduced following a multi-state operation targeting an ISIS Khorasan-inspired module, during which four suspects were arrested and six others were detained for interrogation.[16] Rather than relying solely on prosecution , the program focuses on self-guided or online-indoctrinated youth who have not engaged in violent acts. ​The UP ATS employs a non-punitive, community-led framework that collaborates with parents, peers, and local religious leaders to counsel candidates.[17]

Training and capabilities

Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP ATS) personnel are given special training in counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, urban warfare, bomb disposal, weapon handling and intelligence analysis. The unit uses modern weapons, surveillance equipment, communication systems and technical resources. The Special Police Operations Team (SPOT), formed in 2017, is equipped with special training and modern equipment for high-risk operations. From time to time, UP ATS also conducts joint training and exercises with other central security agencies.[18][19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Midway Battle: Modi's Rollercoaster Second Term". Bloomsbury Publishing. 20 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India – Performance Audit of Modernisation of Police Forces (Chapter 8: Anti-Terrorist Squad)" (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "About Us – Anti-Terror Squad (ATS)". Uttar Pradesh Police. Government of Uttar Pradesh. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "Report No. 3 of 2017 – Performance Audit of Modernisation of Police Forces" (PDF). Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "DGP seeks global-standard training, tech-driven policing for UP ATS sleuths". The Times of India. 4 May 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  6. ↑ "Cyber radicalisation, 'Hindu faces' part of new terror playbook, UP ATS probes reveal". Hindustan Times. 13 May 2026. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "What is UP ATS and its significance?". Dainik Jagran. 18 August 2026.
  8. ↑ "Terror suspect holed up, ATS operation on Lucknow outskirts". The Indian Express. 7 March 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "UP ATS arrests two for alleged links with ISI". The Indian Express. 4 May 2017.
  10. ↑ "Govt right to arrest Rohingyas. They pose a threat to Indian Muslims—just see their history". theprint.in. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "74 Rohingya held from UP for staying without valid papers". The Indian Express. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  12. ↑ Rao, Nitika Angelina; Digumarthi, Suresh Kumar (2 November 2025). "The securitization of the Rohingya in India's shifting refugee approach". The Round Table. 114 (6): 842–863. doi:10.1080/00358533.2025.2554975. ISSN 0035-8533.
  13. ↑ Kousary, Halimullah; Munir, Muhammad Shafqat; Mehta, Akanksha; Bukhari, Syed Adnan Ali Shah; Spittel, Gloria (2011). "South Asia Country Assessments". Counter Terrorist Trends and Analyses. 3 (1): 14–27. ISSN 2382-6444.
  14. ↑ Sharma, Anurag (31 March 2019). "Islamic State (IS) Activities in India- A Trend Analysis". Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  15. ↑ "Islamic State (IS) Activities in India- A Trend Analysis". www.vifindia.org. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  16. ↑ Shekhar, Shashank (27 April 2017). "Uttar Pradesh: Anti-terror squad plans 'ghar wapsi' for ISIS recruits". India Today. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  17. ↑ TwoCircles.net (27 April 2017). "UP ATS to counter radicalisation of youth with "Ghar Wapsi" – TwoCircles.net". Retrieved 25 August 2026.
  18. ↑ "UP minister: 'Amid Taliban savagery, govt setting up ATS training centre in Deoband'". The Indian Express. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "UP ATS to set up commando units at Deoband, 4 other places". Hindustan Times. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
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