External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's security enhanced with additional bulletproof vehicle
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has increased the security of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar by adding an additional bulletproof vehicle to his convoy, sources from the government confirmed on Wednesday.
For the unversed, Jaishankar currently receives 'Z' category armed protection from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It is to be noted that in October of 2023, Jaishankar's security level was raised from the 'Y' to 'Z' category.
Why this move by the CRPF?
Despite having a team of 33 commandos to protect him round the clock, the CRPF chose to provide Jaishankar with added security following a recent threat assessment linked to India-Pakistan tensions.
The heightened security shift comes amid heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line Of Control (LOC) and border areas after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and Operation Sindoor on May 7.
Operation Sindoor:
In the wee hours of May 7, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, a precise military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists. The operation, which involved deep strikes inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), successfully destroyed nine high-value terror launchpads linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Recipients of VIP security cover:
The CRPF is currently providing VIP security cover to 210 dignitaries, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, the Dalai Lama and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
What is Z-plus security?
After the Special Protection Group (SPG) cover that was raised in 1985 to provide proximate security cover to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members, Z-plus security offers the highest level of security protection in India. As many as 55 employees and CRPF commandos are part of this security cover, and they watch over the protectee around the clock. Depending on inputs, additional protection is also provided by appointing National Security Guard (NSG) commandos. The security cover also entails a bulletproof vehicle and escort in three shifts.