The Centre is also considering deploying restructured NSG ‘strike teams’ in high-risk areas, such as near the Ram temple in Ayodhya and around critical assets in southern India
In a major change to VIP security arrangements, the responsibility for protecting new ministers and over a dozen high-risk individuals will be transferred from the National Security Guard (NSG) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to other paramilitary forces. This move is part of a broader overhaul of VIP security under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), officials announced on Tuesday.
A review of this key security wing is expected soon. The overhaul will likely include the long-discussed proposal to withdraw ‘black cat’ commandos of the NSG from VIP security duties. All nine Z-plus category protectees currently guarded by the NSG will be handed over to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security unit. This change will free up approximately 450 ‘black cat’ commandos.
Additionally, some VIPs currently protected by the ITBP may see their security transferred to the CRPF or the special security group (SSG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
The Centre is also considering deploying restructured NSG ‘strike teams’ in high-risk areas, such as near the Ram temple in Ayodhya and around critical assets in southern India.
Currently, the CRPF and CISF VIP security wings are responsible for protecting over 200 individuals. The CRPF protects figures like Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Gandhi family, while the CISF safeguards individuals including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat.
At present, NSG commandos protect notable figures such as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, former Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, veteran BJP leader L K Advani, and former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Ghulam Nabi Azad.
The ITBP currently protects veteran BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, among others.
These changes are aimed at optimizing the use of specialized security forces and ensuring high-risk areas are adequately protected.
