NEW DELHI: Even as India and Pakistan sparred over Shah Rukh Khan's comments in a magazine recently, security agencies said there was no threat to the superstar from terror elements. In fact, his security was withdrawn three months ago. However, following the comments, he has been given two constables in rotation to guard him against possible "local reprisal".
Khan was first provided security in 2008 following an email threat allegedly from Indian Mujahideen. At that time, he was guarded by four constables in rotation (four during the day and four during the night) provided by Mumbai Police's protection branch.
In early 2010, his security was reviewed and downgraded to two constables in rotation, as there were no fresh threats against him following the 2008 mail. The two-constable security was retained as a preventive measure until the threat was completely ruled out, sources said.
A fresh assessment was conducted in October 2012 and Khan's security was completely withdrawn in November. "There was no fresh threat nor any inputs from intelligence agencies indicating any threat to his life from internal or external forces. So it was decided that his security may be withdrawn," an officer from Mumbai's security establishment said.
However, following his comments in a magazine where the superstar alluded to his religious identity being politicized by certain outfits and the harassment he faced in certain countries because of being a Muslim, Mumbai Police restored his security because of local reasons. "We feared his comments could have reactions from local outfits. So, as a precautionary measure, we have restored his security temporarily four days ago."
Sources said the security may be removed after the local threat dissipates.
Following Khan's comments, LeT chief Hafiz Saeed had invited him to live in Pakistan while the country's interior minister Rehman Malik asked India to provide security to the star on Tuesday. A security officer clarified, "Shah Rukh's security was restored much before Malik's comments. In any case, security is provided after local threat assessment and not on the basis of what anyone inside or outside the country says."
Shah Rukh given security after magazine comments
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Shah Rukh given security after magazine comments
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Shah Rukh given security after magazine comments
