Security breach at Khattar's office; 6 CISF personnel suspended

An armed man cleared multiple security checks to reach the office of Haryana CM Khattar in the high- security building

In a major security breach, an armed man cleared multiple security checks to reach the office of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in the high- security Punjab and Haryana Civil secretariat building, following which six CISF personnel have been suspended.

"We have placed six personnel under suspension for the lapse and an inquiry has been ordered," a senior CISF official posted here said.

The CISF Commandant stationed at the secretariat was also summoned and apprised about the alleged lapse which had occurred on Tuesday.

Notably, a posse of Central Industrial Reserve Force (CISF) personnel guard the secretariat building.

S P Rana of Delhi, who was carrying a .32 bore licensed pistol, was given a go ahead at three tiers of security before his licensed gun was finally detected during checking on the fourth floor of the Secretariat building by the security staff outside Khattar's office.

Rana, President of All India Ambulances Welfare Association, said he was in a group of about 20-30 office bearers who had an appointment with Khattar as the private ambulance operators in the state had proceeded on a one-day strike on Tuesday to protest against passenger tax on ambulances. They were to urge for withdrawal of the tax.

When asked why he had carried the weapon with him inside the secretariat building, Rana said he was not aware about the security restrictions.

"I was not aware that one cannot even carry licensed gun inside the secretariat," he told PTI over phone today.

"The Association members procured a gate pass after which we entered the secretariat building...The CISF staff are not at fault, they did their duty, but I own full responsibility that it is my fault. I was not knowing that carrying the pistol, even if licensed, was not allowed in the building," he said.