Citing Trump Assassination Incident, Centre Issues Alert On VVIP Security In Public Events

In the wake of recent assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump, the Centre has issued a directive to Director Generals of states, union territories, and paramilitary forces to enhance security measures for "high-risk dignitaries", The Indian Express reported.

On July 13, Donald Trump was attacked during a campaign rally near Pennsylvania. The 20-year-old teenager, who attempted to kill the former US President, was shot dead by Secret Service agents.

"Former PM of Japan, Shinzo Abe, was fatally shot on July 8, 2022, from close quarters by an individual using a homemade shotgun while addressing a corner public meeting. During a road march, former Pakistan PM Imran Khan was fired upon on November 3, 2022, and reportedly suffered a bullet injury. Vice-President of Argentina, Christina Fernandez, escaped an assassination bid on September 1, 2022, as a man unsuccessfully tried to fire a loaded pistol close to her head," the daily quoted an official, citing the Centre's internal security division communication.

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida was attacked on April 15, 2023, when a smoke bomb was hurled towards him. Notably, Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was shot on August 9 last year. More recently, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded on May 15 during a public event.

The central government directive highlights three key areas for improvement: physical security measures, technical surveillance, and contingency drills, and the crucial role of personal security officers (PSOs).

Physical security measures include stringent access control at venues, comprehensive checks of individuals and materials, and ensuring that only authorized personnel are in the vicinity of the dignitary. Venues should undergo thorough physical, visual, and technical inspections, with security personnel deployed to secure the area. High-rise features and other vantage points offering direct lines of sight to the dignitary should be sanitized and controlled.

The government also underscored the need for effective contingency planning. Authorities are instructed to develop and rehearse drills to provide immediate protection to the dignitary, swiftly neutralize threats, and ensure rapid evacuation to a safe location or hospital. PSOs are required to maintain constant vigilance, position themselves to monitor their surroundings with a 360-degree view, and respond promptly to any potential threats.