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The National Security Guard (NSG), which provides Z-plus security cover to senior BJP leader L K Advani, wants to withdraw a contingent of commandos deployed as part of a quick reaction team (QRT) outside his house.

The NSG has written to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), asking it to take up the matter with the BJP leader who has reportedly not agreed to the withdrawal.

A senior officer said under rules, NSG’s mandate is only to provide close-range or mobile security to any protected person and providing a QRT is the job of the local police.

None of the other 16 VVIPs and political personalities who get Z-plus security enjoy this facility — a vehicle with four-five commandos is on round-the clock duty outside Advani’s official residence on Prithviraj Road in New Delhi. To maintain the QRT, the NSG deploys 15-18 commandos, who guard the BJP leader in shifts.

"NSG is a specially trained force for counter-terror and hijack operations. It is not there to guard someone’s house. All the other VIPs who are NSG protectees do not enjoy such a facility. A commando is not there to guard somebody’s house," an officer said.

In the past year, NSG has reportedly written several times to the MHA, seeking withdrawal of the QRT.

"Every time we write to the MHA for withdrawal of the commandos, the ministry tells us that the matter has been taken up with the BJP leader and it will be

complied with soon. Till now, nothing has happened though," the officer said.

It was during the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) rule during 1998-2004 when Advani, who was the deputy Prime Minister then, had got a QRT sanctioned for himself.

Advani was handling the Home portfolio in his capacity as the deputy PM.

"We do not know what rules were followed when the QRT was sanctioned but presently there is no such provision under which we can accommodate this. Four-five commandos on a vehicle are on guard outside his house 24 hours," the officer said.