‘You will be killed shortly’: Who is behind the death threat to Chirag Paswan?

New Delhi: Union Minister Chirag Paswan has received a threatening communication claiming that he would be “killed shortly by hardcore terrorists”, according to his office, which has sought an urgent investigation and a review of his security arrangements.

What happened

Paswan’s office said an unsigned communication containing two mobile numbers was received at the ministry on Tuesday. According to a letter sent by his Additional Private Secretary Alok Kumar Singh to Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the communication contained a direct threat to the Union Food Processing Industries Minister.

The letter quoted the threatening message as saying: “You will be killed shortly by hardcore terrorists.”

Paswan’s office described the nature of the communication and its reference to “hardcore terrorists” as a serious security concern.

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Paswan’s office seeks urgent probe

The minister’s office has asked the Union Home Ministry to investigate the origin, authenticity and circumstances surrounding the threatening communication.

It has also requested that Paswan’s security arrangements be reviewed and strengthened if considered necessary, particularly in view of his scheduled public engagements.

The communication and the letter have also been shared with the Central Reserve Police Force and the Bihar government, according to the information provided by Paswan’s office.

Chirag Paswan’s security cover

Paswan is already a Z-category protectee, meaning he has a high level of security protection because of his assessed threat perception.

The latest request from his office comes specifically in response to the threatening communication. Any decision on additional security would depend on the assessment carried out by the competent security and intelligence authorities.

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Who is Chirag Paswan?

Chirag Paswan is the chief of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and serves as the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

His position as a Union minister and his political role in Bihar make security arrangements around his public appearances particularly significant.

What happens next?

The immediate focus is likely to be on establishing whether the threatening communication is genuine, identifying its source and determining whether it represents a credible security threat.

Investigators would also need to establish the ownership and use of the mobile numbers mentioned in the communication and examine how and why the message was sent.

Until such an assessment is completed, the threat remains an allegation contained in the communication, and there is no confirmation in the material provided that terrorists are actually planning an attack against Paswan.

The incident is significant because Paswan already has Z-category security protection, indicating that authorities have previously assessed his security requirements as high.

The request for enhanced protection therefore does not by itself establish that the threat is genuine. The key issue will be the outcome of the investigation into the communication’s authenticity and origin.

The incident also highlights the security challenges faced by public figures who regularly attend political events and public engagements. Any verified threat could lead authorities to reassess Paswan’s existing security arrangements and the level of protection required during his future movements.