New Delhi: Amid a spate of Pakistan sponsored terror attacks and growing threat of Islamic state, the security agencies have warned of a credible threat during PM’s Independence Day address on August 15 this year.
The security agencies have advised Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the nation in a bulletproof enclosure at the Red Fort.
Intelligence agencies and the Special Protection Group have made a strong pitch over this concern to national security adviser Ajit Doval.
According to reports, sources say that they hoped the PM wouldn’t ignore the advisory this time as the threat perception was “extremely high”.
For last two years, Prime Minister Modi in a last-minute decision had decided to do away with the bulletproof enclosure while giving his speech. Modi has also been meeting the crowds in an impromptu manner, this is giving jitters to the security agencies.
A senior officer said the recommendation wasn’t just the fallout of the Kashmir unrest or the increasing infiltration bids from across the border; it was also because the agencies had intercepted communication about the use of drones to breach the PM’s security cordon. Another contributing factor was the growing menace of ISIS-led terror attacks across the globe.
Central intelligence agencies informed the SPG and anti-terror units a few weeks ago about the possibility of coordinated attacks on August 15 and a higher possibility of a lonewolf attack.
According to sources, PM speaking from within bulletproof enclosures became a tradition after Indira Gandhi’s assassination. But in 2014, Modi had bucked this trend+ in his maiden Independence Day speech as PM. The surprised security agencies had to switch to a plan B in which a virtual cover comprising spotters was thrown around in a strategic manner.