National Counter Terrorism Centre

Who We Are



NCTC is the national lead agency for coordinating the counter terrorism and counter violent extremism efforts. NCTC acts as the primary agency for integrating and analyzing all intelligence pertaining to terrorism and violent extremism acquired by all partner agencies and organizations. In addition, NCTC integrates, synchronizes and coordinates specific action plans on issues ranging from preventing violent extremism, strategic communication against terrorism and extremism and national terrorism response and protection of tourism industry and other key national industries and capabilities from terrorist attacks.

NCTC assigns roles and responsibilities to the various partner agencies, but is not involved in the direct execution of the activities and operations of the line agencies. NCTC also ensures that national counter terrorism (CT) capabilities and capacities are developed in a systematic manner within line agencies, and advises the partner organizations, as well as policy officials on effective utilization of available resources for greater mission success.

In 2015, the 'Prevention of Terrorism Act (32/2015)' was passed and ratified. The new act marked a major update from the previous 'Prevention of Terrorism Act (10/90),' and enabled more robust and unified efforts against terrorism and violent extremism. Article 19 of the 'Prevention of Terrorism Act (32/2015)' mandates the President to assign an agency with the responsibility of coordinating the national effort against terrorism and violent extremism. Thus, NCTC was established through Presidential Decree (2016/3) on February 25, 2016.

NCTC serves as the principal adviser to the President and the National Security Council (NSC) on issues related to terrorism and violent extremism. In this capacity, the Director General of NCTC has dual lines of reporting: (1) through the Minister of Defence, and (2) direct reporting the NSC and the President. The Director General of NCTC is also responsible for formulating national policies, strategies and directives to counter terrorism and violent extremism.