Bhubaneswar, August 13 : Odisha Police is set to establish a dedicated Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) to strengthen the state’s internal security and tackle terrorist threats in urban areas, including bomb threats targeting courts and airports.

The decision has been taken by the state government with an aim to ensure a faster and more effective response to terror-related threats.

Odisha DGP Y.B. Khurania said the Special Operations Group (SOG) already has a small tactical unit dealing with counter-terror operations. However, the proposed full-fledged ATS will have a larger contingent of specially trained commandos.

The ATS is likely to be developed at the SOG campus in Chandaka on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, which already has modern training facilities.

The SOG, which has primarily been engaged in anti-Maoist operations, will now be strengthened and redeployed for counter-terrorism operations as part of the new setup.

The proposed ATS will function as a specialised investigative wing or a dedicated police station with legal powers, enabling it to investigate and respond to terror-related cases across Odisha.

The move is expected to significantly strengthen the state’s preparedness to deal with emerging security threats and terror-related incidents.