Z-plus security cover for Air Force, Navy chiefs

NEW DELHI: Indian

Air Force chief

Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and Indian

Navy chief

Admiral Sunil Lanba have been accorded

Z-plus security

by the home ministry in the wake of Tuesday’s surgical strikes raising tensions between India and Pakistan.

The Indian Army chief already has a security detail conforming to Z-plus cover specifications. However, the chiefs of the IAF and Indian Navy until now did not have any security cover sanctioned by the Centre, and were protected by commandos from their own respective forces.

According to a source in the ministry of home affairs (MHA), the decision to extend Z-plus security cover to IAF and naval chiefs was taken following a fresh assessment of their threat perception in the wake of ongoing Indo-Pakistan tension. A VIP security review committee comprising officials of the Intelligence Bureau and home ministry made a proposal for extending Z-plus security cover to them, which was approved by home minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday.

The two chiefs will now have a round-the-clock security cover of at least 36 personnel. While Delhi Police is likely to provide static security at their residence, it is not known who will handle their mobile security which will include a pilot and escort.

People who are accorded Z-plus security are guarded either by commandos of National Security Guard (NSG), CRPF or CISF.

NSG commandos on Z-plus security duty are armed with sophisticated weapons, including MP5 submachine guns and AK-47 assault rifles.