Bush's India visit: Last-minute security details being fixed

New Delhi News.Net
Wednesday 28th October, 2009 (IANS)

Former US president George Bush, who arrives here Thursday, may not get the same level of security as in his 2006 India visit, but Delhi Police are nevertheless working closely with the US Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to provide him with an impregnable security cover.

'A series of meetings are being held with the officers of the US Secret Service and the FBI regarding George Bush's security. We are working on all security related aspects,' a senior security official told IANS on condition of anonymity.

'His security won't be of Z+ category or as of the Indian Prime Pinister, but it would certainly be of a very high scale as provided to any dignitary visiting the country,' the official added.

Z+ protection includes several security rings manned by armed commandos carrying sophisticated guns. The guns usually used in the inner ring are small arms that can be loaded fast. Some of the commonly used firearms are AK 47, Uzi, MP5, Heckler and Koch pistols. The elite commandos of the National Security Guard (NSG) are also equipped with sophisticated communication equipment.

Bush is here for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2009 being held Oct 30-31.

Talks are still on about whether the former US president would be given a dedicated route for his movement.

'In his convoy, their would be an escort and pilot vehicle. An ambulance would also move along. The total vehicles in his cavalcade won't be less than seven or eight,' another security officer said.

Informed sources said that the US Secret Service officials have brought with them sophisticated security equipment to monitor every minute detail.

According to the officials, elaborate security measures are in place at and around the summit venue. Apart from armed policemen and commandos in plain clothes being deployed, anti-sabotage checks would be carried out twice at the venue and his hotel. Snipers, bomb disposal and dog squads would be placed strategically to counter any threat.

'Though there is no specific intelligence input against him, we are not taking any chances as the threat perception is always high for such dignitaries,' the officer added.

When Bush last visited India in March 2006, he stayed at the Maurya Sheraton hotel, which was heavily fortified with many floors reserved for US security officials.

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