New Delhi: The security cover of India’s Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has been upgraded by the Home Ministry following a threat report from the Intelligence Bureau (IB). He will now be provided with Z-category security, which is one of the highest levels of protection in the country. According to sources, the Home Ministry has instructed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to take charge of Jaishankar’s security.
Earlier, Jaishankar was getting Y-class security from Delhi Police, which consisted of a team of armed security personnel who accompanied him wherever he went. However, now CRPF will take over his security and deploy about 14-15 armed commandos who will guard him round the clock in shifts.
Jaishankar is one of the key members of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet and plays a vital role in shaping India’s foreign policy and diplomacy. He has been involved in several high-profile engagements with various countries and international organizations, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the border tensions with China.
With this upgrade, Jaishankar joins the list of 176 people who are getting VIP security of CRPF, which includes Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Security Categories in India
In India, there are five categories of security cover for VIPs and VVIPs, namely Z+, Z, Y+, Y, and X. These categories are based on the threat perception and the level of risk involved for the person. The security cover is provided by various agencies such as NSG, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, and state police forces.
The Z+ category is the highest level of security cover and has a strength of 55 personnel, which includes 10+ NSG commandos and police personnel. The NSG commandos are specially trained in counter-terrorism and close protection operations. They use sophisticated weapons and equipment such as MP5 submachine guns, Glock pistols, bulletproof jackets helmets, etc.
The Z category is the second-highest level of security cover and has a strength of 22 personnel, which includes 4-6 NSG commandos and police personnel. The NSG commandos provide close protection to the person while the police personnel handle the outer ring of security.
The Y+ category is the third-highest level of security cover and has a strength of 11 personnel, which includes 2-4 commandos and police personnel. The commandos can be from NSG or other paramilitary forces such as CRPF, CISF, or ITBP. They provide close protection to the person while the police personnel handle the outer ring of security.
The Y category is the fourth-highest level of security cover and has a strength of 8 personnel, which includes 1 or 2 commandos and police personnel. The commandos can be from NSG or other paramilitary forces such as CRPF, CISF, or ITBP. They provide close protection to the person while the police personnel handle the outer ring of security.
The X category is the lowest level of security cover and has a strength of 2 personnel, who are only armed police personnel. They provide escort to the person during his/her movement.’
