Sonia Gandhi's security to be stepped up

Amidst intelligence inputs about the threat to the Gandhi family from Pakistan-based militant groups, the government is contemplating an overhaul of the security cover for United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her immediate family.

A high-level meeting chaired by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan in the home ministry took stock of the situation, especially after several inputs suggested that militant groups were planning to carry out a suicide attack on the Gandhi family, official sources said.

The new threats were examined and it was decided to frame a new strategy for Sonia and Rahul, who will be campaigning in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Punjab that will go to polls early next year, they said.

Sonia Gandhi and her children Rahul and Priyanka are protected by the elite Special Protection Group.

Uttar Pradesh is more of a concern for security agencies in view of the presence of sleeper cells of terror groups like Lashker-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the sources said.

It is expected that before the announcement of polls there, a widespread crackdown will be conducted in some parts of the state to check Pakistani nationals who are in hiding after jumping the normal visa regulations.

Besides Narayanan, Home Secretary V K Duggal, Intelligence Bureau Director E S L Narisimhan and RAW chief P K H Tharakan attended the meeting.

There were concerns over other members of the Gandhi family who may be slightly more vulnerable and the Centre is likely to review their security too.