Home Ministry to review security protocols for VIPs

New Delhi: Days after the attack on former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah, the Union Home Ministry plans to review the security protocols of all VIPs under central security cover, sources said on Friday.

The decision to conduct the review next week was taken at a meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday. The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, home secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka and senior Home Ministry officials, sources said.

After the attack, Shah had called Abdullah to inform him that an inquiry had been ordered. Abdullah said on Thursday that the Union minister had expressed concern and assured him he would keep him informed about the progress of the investigation.


A Z-plus protectee is entitled to at least half a dozen NSG commandos, apart from two to three security rings, including local police and other security personnel, besides a bulletproof vehicle and escort.

It has been reported that the National Security Guard will undertake such a review for its protectees.

There are about 400 VIPs in various security categories under the central list, including around 220 with the CRPF, 156 with the CISF, nine with the NSG and a few with the ITBP.

Officials said the review would also be relevant as assembly elections in five states - Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry - are approaching, requiring several political VIPs to travel across these regions.

The security review meeting also discussed ongoing operations and potential threats related to the Middle East conflict, sources said.