Swarna Chakraborty, Pune
State governments are responsible for determining security levels for VIPs, while the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) makes decisions at the national level. These determinations are based on inputs from intelligence agencies such as the Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) at the national level, as well as state intelligence departments at the local level.
Actor Shah Rukh Khan has been assigned Y+ security due to increased threat perception following the success of his recent films, Jawan and Pathaan. He will have six police commandos from Maharashtra Police’s special protection unit as armed bodyguards, equipped with MP-5 machine guns, AK-47 assault rifles, and Glock pistols, ensuring his safety nationwide. Additionally, his residence will be safeguarded by four armed policemen around the clock. Khan will bear the cost of this security detail, as private security in India cannot be armed with sophisticated weapons. This decision was prompted by intelligence reports indicating a significant rise in threats to Khan’s life. Dilip Sawant, special IGP, VIP security, issued a notification urging all unit commanders to provide Y+ security to the actor on a payment basis during his visits and engagements, aiming to prevent any unfortunate incidents.
There are six primary categories of security cover: X, Y, Y+, Z, Z+, and SPG (Special Protection Group). Under the Y+ category, mobile security comprises two policemen (plus four on rotation) and one (plus four on rotation) for residence security. In the Z category, six gunmen are assigned for mobile security, and two (plus eight) handle residence security. Z+ security involves 10 personnel for mobile security and two (plus eight) for residence security. These security measures are crucial for ensuring the safety of VIPs and are determined through careful assessments of potential threats.