The last line of defence for VVIPs

For a select few very important people of the country, these “handpicked” men are the last line of defence. Karan Choudhury reports.

For a select few very important people of the country, these “handpicked” men are the last line of defence. They are the best at what they do and are so special that they are called the Special Protection Group (SPG), the agency that protects the President, our Prime Minister and a few others.

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On Republic Day their uniformed division surrounded the Prime Minister during the parade. Equipped to the teeth with the best weaponry and communication system that money can buy, these men are ready to tackle any sort of situation. "SPG men have to go through a rigorous screening process. We pick the best men from army, National Security Guard (NSG), police and paramilitary.

These men then undergo one of the toughest training processes in the world. Our men get to train with the Israeli Special Forces men, the Hostage Rescue Team of the US Federal Bureau Investigation among others,” said a SPG officer on the condition of anonymity.

From carrying the primitive Israeli make nine-millimetre Uzi, the SPG now have submachine guns like Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal FN-P90 in their arsenal.

The uniformed division of the unit wears black-shirts and light brown combat fatigues. The other division that provides ‘close proximity cover’ wears signature suits.