High threat perception to VVIPs following surgical strikes; President, PM, Sonia to get extra layer of security

Amid simmering tension between India and Pakistan over surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army against terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the government on Wednesday decided to beef up the security of the country’s top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. 

In a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), a decision was also taken to upgrade the security of President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. 

The Delhi Police has already increased the security of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, based on the intelligence inputs that he is on the radar of terrorists following the surgical strikes. 

Intelligence reports following the surgical strikes have upgraded the threat level of VVIPs in the country. 

The Special Protection Group (SPG), which is responsible for the protection of PM, former PMs and their families, has been directed to add extra layers of security. 

The security will now be upgraded around the PM residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, in Delhi and mock drills will also be conducted on regular intervals. 

Security of the South Block and the PM route will also be upgraded following the new threat perception. 

A special armoured vehicle, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will now be deployed in PM’s security. 

Prime Minister today chaired a meeting of the CCS to discuss the security scenario in wake of the surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).

The situation on the LoC and the International Border, as well as the hinterland was discussed at the meeting, sources said.

Tensions between India and Pakistan increased after the surgical strikes carried out on the intervening night of September 28 and 29.

Pakistan has intensified cross-LoC firing and shelling since the surgical strikes.