Amidst the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan and after the fresh assessment of their threat perception by the security agencies, it has been decided that Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshall and Navy Chief will be provided with Z+ security. ‘The chiefs of Air Staff and Naval Staff will be given the Z-plus security’, a government official said.
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has already been given the Z-plus security.
The Decision was taken after thoroughly reviewing the fresh assessment of their threat perception of-of IAF chief Air Marshal B S Dhanoa and chief of Naval staff Admiral Sunil Lanba amidst the heightened tension between both India and Pakistan following the IAF‘s Air Strikes in Balakot on Feb 26.
The Officials, however, said close proximity security of the chiefs of Air Staffs and Naval Staff will continue to be given by the commandos of the respective forces, and the peripheral security will be given by the central and state security agencies.
The Decision came in the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a JeM suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.
Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan retaliated with a large air formation, comprising 24 fighter jets, including F-16s.
In an Air Combat on February 27, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had on ejected from his aircraft on PoK side after the MIG 21 shot down following Air Combat with Pakistan Air Force. He was later taken into custody by Pakistan Armed Forces. Abhinandan was released last night on Friday.
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