The government today set up the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a federal organisation that will probe all terror acts across the country with the coming into force of the legislation on its formation.
The Union Home Ministry issued a formal notification paving the way for the constitution of the agency, said a senior official.
The NIA will have concurrent jurisdiction which empowers the Central government to probe terrror attacks in any part of the country, covering offences, including challenge to country's sovereignty and integrity, bomb blasts, hijacking of aircraft and ships and attacks on nuclear installations.
The Bill for setting up the agency was passed by Parliament in the just concluded session. President Pratibha Patil has given her assent to the Bill yesterday.
The agency will probe such incidents which are found to have complex inter-state and international linkages and possible connection with other activities like smuggling of arms and drugs, pushing in and circulation of fake Indian currency and infiltration across the borders.
The NIA has deterrent provisions like detention without bail for upto 180 days and enhanced penalty of life imprisonment for those involved in terror acts.
The measure came against the backdrop of Mumbai terror attacks and demand for tough anti-terror laws and provides for constitution of special courts to try offences under the NIA Bill and to provide for summary trial.