Popular Indian journalist to get security cover over threat from 'Pakistan-based terror groups'

Arnab Goswami will get round-the-clock protection from around 20 guards provided by the govt

Indian journalist Arnab Goswami will be provided security cover by the government over an ostensible threat from "Pakistan-based terrorist groups".

The editor-in-chief of news channel Times Now will get round-the-clock protection from around 20 guards. Goswami was not available for comment despite phone calls and messages, Hindustan Times reported.



“Goswami is being given security on the basis of a threat-perception analysis by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). We will go by the IB recommendation. He faces threats from Pakistan-based terrorist groups due to his comments against them on Times Now,” a home ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.

The home ministry is likely to ask the Maharashtra police to handle the 43-year-old's security as he is based in Mumbai. The government provides security under four categories — ‘Z Plus’ (around 40 guards with two escort vehicles), ‘Z’ (around 30 guards with one escort vehicle), ‘Y’ (around 20 guards) and ‘X’ (four guards).



Goswami is not the first journalist to get security cover from the government. Before him, journalists such as Sudhir Chaudhary of Zee News (’X’ category), Samachar Plus’s Umesh Kumar (’Y’ category) and Ashwini Kumar Chopra (’Z Plus’ category) have been provided security by the state.

This article originally appeared on Hindustan Times.