Amit Shah reviews functioning of Multi-Agency Centre, stresses cooperation between agencies to destroy terror networks

New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the functioning of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and directed the agencies to increase engagement in the MAC and make it into a cohesive platform, as well as to adopt a whole-of-the government approach towards national security.

Shah chaired the high-level meeting here in the national capital with heads of various security and law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

As per the MHA statement, the Home Minister stressed greater synergy between all the agencies to dismantle the terror networks and their supporting eco-system to address the evolving security threat scenario of the country.

While reviewing the overall internal security situation in the country and the fight against terrorism; the Home Minister impressed upon all the participants to increase engagement in the MAC and make it into a cohesive platform that brings together all the law enforcement agencies, anti-drug agencies, cyber security and intelligence agencies, for decisive and prompt action.

In the discussion focused on the functioning of the MAC of the IB, which plays a crucial role in addressing security challenges across the country, the Home Minister instructed various heads of security agencies from across the country and other intelligence and enforcement agencies to adopt a whole-of-the government approach towards national security.

Shah also emphasized, “MAC must continue to work 24X7 as a platform for pro-active and real-time sharing of actionable intelligence amongst various stakeholders, including last-mile responders.”

During the meeting, the Home Minister also stressed on constituting a team of young, technically proficient and passionate officers drawn from all agencies involved in National Security to dismantle the terror ecosystem utilizing big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning driven analytics and technological advancements. He reiterated that in the face of new and emerging security challenges, we must always be one step ahead in our responses.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MHA said, “MAC framework poised to undergo a major technical and operational revamp to increase its reach and effectiveness. He exhorted all the stakeholders to bolster these efforts further through prompt responses and aggressive follow-up of shared inputs.”

The meeting comes in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir within a month, which led to the deaths of several Indian Army personnel as well as innocent people.