Amidst heightened security threat to VIPs, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi, a high-level meeting was held on Friday to review their security.
The meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary V K Duggal came against the backdrop of reports that Congress chief and United Progressive Allaince chairperson Sonia Gandhi is under threat of an attack by an Al Qaeda-backed terrorist outfit following which the Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to the Special Protection Group, which guards Sonia, in this regard.
A home ministry spokesperson, however, said that advisories issued by MHA were routine in nature and should not give rise to inaccurate and speculative news reporting.
He said the MHA reviewed the VIP security in view of Republic Day, some other festivals and the upcoming Assembly elections in four states.
He also said that the advisory were meant to upgrade and strengthen security arrangement for all protectees.
Reportedly, Vandana Kini, head of VIP security in the home ministry, has written a letter to SPG chief B V Wanchoo and chief secretaries of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday mentioning about the threat.