150 Army personnel under Lt Col for Prachanda's security

Kathmandu, Aug 17 (UNI) Beefing up the security of Nepal's newly-elected Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), the Nepal Army has designated a company led by Lt Colonel Arun Pal for the PM's security cover.

''The new team would provide security to Prachanda only after he takes oath of the office tomorrow,'' the Himalayan Times quoted Nepal Army spokesperson Major General Ramindra Chhetri as saying.

Lt Colonel Pal, who is currently at the Directorate of Signals, will lead the company of around 150 army personnel for the new PM's security. There were only 80 army personnel under the command of major at present.

Spokesperson for the Home Ministry Mod Raj Dotel said a special combination of four security forces - Nepal Army (NA), Armed Police Force, Nepal Police and National Investigation Department - would be deployed for the Prime Minister's security.

''NA will lead the team,'' Mr Dotel said. He said the number of the security personnel for the PM's security could be reviewed keeping in view of the security needs.

There are Maoists combatants in the security of Pushpa Kamal Dahal who is known as Prachanda.

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