The Delhi Police has started the process of increasing security cover for External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar following a specific request from the Ministry of External Affairs over the weekend — after military hostilities between India and Pakistan along the border had peaked following the Pahalgam terror attack, The Indian Express has learnt.
The police are also reviewing their security cover for Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, and at least 25 leaders from the , including Union Ministers, MPs and Chief Minister . This decision was taken during a meeting held Sunday by Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora with senior officers on security for VIPs who spoke out publicly against Pakistan, particularly on social media, amid the military confrontation.
It was also decided to provide firing and medical emergency training for all security personnel involved, sources said.
In the case of Jaishankar, sources said, the police have urged the Union Home Ministry to conduct a threat assessment. The measures being considered include increasing the number of spotters outside the Union Minister’s residence and office, an escort car and a new call sign for him.
“He has Z category security cover of the CRPF, which has six gunmen for mobile security, and 10 more for residence security. Earlier, there was Z-plus security, with 10 security personnel for mobile security and 10 others for residence security,” a senior officer said.
Home Ministry guidelines regarding security arrangements for VIPs and VVIPs do not currently have provision for a specific escort car and call sign. “On Sunday, the MEA had sent a letter to a senior police officer at PHQ. This has now sent it to the MHA, asking for a decision to be taken after conducting a fresh threat assessment,” the sources said.
Referring to Sunday’s security meeting, sources said, “Following the directions of a special CP rank officer, a list of around 25 VIPs, all belonging to the BJP, and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, was prepared. The VIPs include Union Ministers J P Nadda and Bhupender Yadav, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and BJP MPs Nishikant Dubey and Sudhanshu Trivedi. The list also has the name of BJP stalwart Murli Manohar Joshi.”
The security division of Delhi Police has also been asked to install first-aid kits in the cars of personnel involved in providing security. “From Monday, the security personnel are being called to New Police Lines for firing training and special sessions on medical emergencies,” sources said.
Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat.
During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives.
