New Delhi, Mar 13: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs will conduct a comprehensive security audit of all VIPs under central security cover following the assassination attempt on former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, officials said on Friday.
The decision to undertake the review next week was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting was attended by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, and senior officials from the VIP security wing of the ministry.
Officials said central security cover to VIPs is provided by paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), National Security Guard (NSG) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
The review assumes significance as assembly elections are due in five states — Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, which will require several political leaders to travel extensively during the campaign period.
According to officials, nearly 400 VIPs are currently under various security categories on the central list. Of these, about 220 are protected by the CRPF, 156 by the CISF, nine by the NSG, while a few are covered by the ITBP.
Earlier, the National Security Guard (NSG) had also decided to undertake a review of security arrangements for its protectees. The elite force provides Z-plus security cover to Farooq Abdullah.
Abdullah had a narrow escape on Wednesday night when a gunman opened fire from behind while the National Conference president was leaving a wedding function in Jammu.
CCTV footage from the venue showed a policeman and an NSG commando intercepting the attacker, while another commando and other security personnel quickly pinned him to the ground. Abdullah was immediately evacuated from the venue by the security team, officials said.
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