NEW DELHI: Asserting that the Modi govt over the past six years has created a next-generation shield against terrorism, home minister Amit Shah on Friday virtually inaugurated the National IED Data Management System (NIDMS) – a repository of data on attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IED), designed to aid investigation of terror blasts, analyse patterns and evolve deterrent strategies. Highlighting that the single-click access platform will connect with other security databases, Shah said NIDMS will serve as a two-way window, enabling anti-terror agencies like NIA, anti-terrorism squads, central armed police forces (CAPFs) and the state police forces to upload data on any blast or IED incident occurring within their jurisdiction, while also diving into the existing database – chronicling all bomb explosions since 1999 – for better investigation of terrorist incidents, understanding patterns regarding the modus operandi and explosives used and formulating effective strategies to deal with future blasts. Addressing the inauguration event at the NSG garrison in Manesar near Gurugram through video conferencing, Shah said that the Modi govt has, over the last six years, done significant work on creating varied security databases – CCTNS, which connects the country’s 17,741 police stations; ICJS-2 that assimilates data from 22,000 courts; e-prisons database with records of over 2.2 crore prisoners; e-prosecution database on 2 crore prosecutions; e-forensics with 31 lakh samples and NAFIS that onboards over 1.2 crore fingerprints; and now NIDMS. Shah said work is underway to ensure that these databases don’t exist is silos but “talk to one another”. “With the help of artificial intelligence, NIDMS will connect with other data sources to create a strong security grid in the country,” he said. The NIDMS inauguration event was attended by the Union home secretary and chiefs of Intelligence Bureau (IB), NSG, CAPFs and various state/UT police.