Bollywood actor Salman Khan's security has been beefed up following the murder of his close friend and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, responsible for Siddique's assassination, has been issuing threats to Khan for years, prompting the authorities to provide him with Y-plus security cover. This enhanced security arrangement includes a police escort vehicle accompanying Khan wherever he travels, along with 11 personnel, including two Personal Security Officers and additional armed police.
In India, security cover is categorized into various levels, including X, Y, Y-plus, Z, Z-plus, and the Special Protection Group (SPG). The SPG provides the most elite protection, exclusively reserved for Prime Ministers and their families. Z and Z-plus security covers are offered to high-profile individuals facing significant threats, such as politicians, business leaders, and VIPs. Notable figures like Union Home Minister Amit Shah and actor Aamir Khan have Z-plus and Z-level security, respectively.
Khan's Y-plus security cover includes a constable trained in using various weapons accompanying him at all times. The Mumbai Police have also fortified security arrangements around Khan's Panvel farmhouse, deploying personnel inside and outside the premises. Other celebrities, such as Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, have X-category security, while Anupam Kher was granted X-plus security following the release of The Kashmir Files.
The Bishnoi gang's history of targeting Khan dates back to his involvement in the blackbuck poaching case. In June, Mumbai Police foiled an attempt by the gang to kill Khan near his farmhouse. With the increased threats, authorities have stepped up vigilance whenever Khan appears in public, including on the Bigg Boss set, where he is currently hosting the 18th season.