India-Canada row: S Jaishankar’s security upgraded to ‘Z category’ amid Khalistani threats

Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s security cover has now been upgraded from ‘Y’ to ‘Z’ category, according to officials.

S Jaishankar security upgraded to Z category amid Khalistani threats 

Based on a threat analysis from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) amid the ongoing tension over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, this decision was taken by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday.

Following the IB report, the MHA has directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to take charge of his security which was so far being covered by the Delhi Police.

Currently, EAM Jaishankar is being provided round-the-clock security cover by an armed team of the Delhi Police under the Y+ category.

Now, the foreign minister will be protected by the CRPF personnel under the larger ‘Z’ security cover that includes over a dozen armed commandos during movement and stay of the protectee round the clock in shifts across the country, the sources added.

Notably, the CRPF is currently providing VIP security cover to 176-odd protectees comprising Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and 24 protectees who got the facility in the recent past temporarily considering the upcoming elections.