[pta320]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

A lot was spoken about the recently acquired Mercedes-Maybach S650 for the PM.

But looks like it was Fortuner's fate to get stuck on the way the other day. Looks like a makeshift arrangement as not seeing any emblem or flag on it:

Attachment 2255562

Having the honbl PMs convoy stuck on a flyover with PM on a non standard presidential vehicle in the middle of the day with other traffic on the same road is simply UNTHINKABLE.

Hope so the investigation catches the culprits soon.

[CEF_Beasts]

The SPG’s Fortuner was running on steel wheels, any specific purpose to run on them compared to the OEM Alloys?

[dragracer567]

Originally Posted by DicKy

But the Range Rover and more frequently, the Landcruiser is used for the out of Delhi travels.

Wonder if this Fortuner is a protected version.

The PM is also known to use a Tata Safari while traveling, especially to the South. He had used an armored Tata Safari when he attended M. Karunanidhi's funeral in Chennai. I found this video of the Safari in Vadodara as well (though from 2016) and probably got retired and replaced by the armored Fortuner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RgG...l=KunalTrivedi

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

The SPG’s Fortuner was running on steel wheels, any specific purpose to run on them compared to the OEM Alloys?

Don't know much about VIP security but isn't opening and closing doors itself a risk?

[aa1997]

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

The SPG’s Fortuner was running on steel wheels, any specific purpose to run on them compared to the OEM Alloys?

Attachment 2256218

Even the armoured Fortuner’s used by Telangana govt for ministers, DGP, etc have steel rims. This is probably due to the addition of run flat tyres and also the strength of alloys to bear the additional weight due to the armour even after being hit.

[ShortShifter]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

A lot was spoken about the recently acquired Mercedes-Maybach S650 for the PM.

But looks like it was Fortuner's fate to get stuck on the way the other day. Looks like a makeshift arrangement as not seeing any emblem or flag on it:

Attachment 2255562

Apart from all the gaffes that has taken place, its shocking and appalling to see a VR6 or lesser Fortuner being used to protect the most important post of this country. As far as my limited knowledge serves, this car would not withstand a drone dropping a couple of kgs worth rdx from the aerial route nor take an EFP (explosively formed penetrator/projectile) IED attack or even armour piercing bullets (green tip). There is no decoy vehicle also as specified in the blue book of SPG.

Are the VR10 Maybach, Range Rover Sentinel or Armoured Land Cruiser only meant to collect dust in NCR region? There is everything wrong with what has gone through that day interms of protocol and SOPs.

Kudos to the SPG Personnel who were in close proximity protection to have pulled everyone back to safety successfully, the CAT & NSG commandos conspicuous with their absence in any of the visuals, a complete compromise once again of 3 layer security.

[hserus]

Originally Posted by ShortShifter

Kudos to the SPG Personnel who were in close proximity protection to have pulled everyone back to safety successfully, the CAT & NSG commandos conspicuous with their absence in any of the visuals, a complete compromise once again of 3 layer security.

That and so many people crowding near the car. OK they are all waving Modi’s own party flag but how difficult is it for an assassin or a terrorist to join that crowd of people? The SPG personnel must be tearing their hair out.

Drones dropping explosives is a bit less of a threat than all this perimeter violation that went on. The cars should have been reversed and taken on an alternate route immediately once the blockage was detected.

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by CEF_Beasts

The SPG’s Fortuner was running on steel wheels, any specific purpose to run on them compared to the OEM Alloys?

Attachment 2256218

Most probably run flats with stronger rims to handle the stresses of the added weight of ballistic protection equipment while rough-roading during emergencies (these Fortuners' are designated escort vehicles for the SPG and not meant for the PM to travel in)

Originally Posted by DicKy

But the Range Rover and more frequently, the Landcruiser is used for the out of Delhi travels.

Wonder if this Fortuner is a protected version.

Read somewhere that the Fortuner in question has VR5/VR6 protection level.

Originally Posted by balenoed_

A lot was spoken about the recently acquired Mercedes-Maybach S650 for the PM.

But looks like it was Fortuner's fate to get stuck on the way the other day. Looks like a makeshift arrangement as not seeing any emblem or flag on it:

Attachment 2255562

An experienced hand on these matters explained that the designated vehicles for the PM were already at the destination (as the PMs original plan involved commuting in a Mi-17). These lightly protected Fortuners were just back-up escort vehicles which were repurposed as the primary vehicle on the fly by the SPG.

A lot of things went wrong on 5th January w.r.t to the PM's security (from what is visible to the layperson) apart from the utter and visible failure of the Punjab Police in maintaing a sanitised corridor for the Prime Ministerial movement.

A couple of Black Fortuners' in a sea of white vehicles (A back-up armoured Fortuner in white belonging to the Punjab Government was also in the convoy which would have made a better car for the PM to be in considering that even the SPG's Fortuner was not that highly protected in the first place and sticking out as a sore thumb), Jammer vehicle which did not belong to the SPG, stuck on the top of a flyover which was less than 10kms from the Pakistani border by the way of an armed drone (BSF shoots down some almost everyday) for more than 20 minutes....

The list of missteps by the SPG is long. What is the use of the VR10 protected Maybach if the PM is going to use VR6 pauper grade vehicles in a restive area close to a dangerous international border?

[hserus]

Originally Posted by sierrabravo98

The list of missteps by the SPG is long. What is the use of the VR10 protected Maybach if the PM is going to use VR6 pauper grade vehicles in a restive area close to a dangerous international border?

Sanitised corridor was not as easy due to the last minute plan change of using road travel rather than helicopter. Which is why a convoy like that was hurriedly pieced together.

The sanitary cordon was broken by civilians, the pilot cars did not warn of the crowd till too late, backup routes were not available or reconnitred .. utter mess.

[airbus]

Originally Posted by hserus

Which is why a convoy like that was hurriedly pieced together.

The cavalcade did not look like that of PM at all. Those white Innovas and that kind of jammer vehicle are not normally seen in PM's convoy. No decoy vehicle seen either.

When they decided to return, some portion they had to drive on the wrong side (someone took a video from his car). Lot of things went wrong with this road trip. Hope appropriate corrective measures will be taken.

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by hserus

Sanitised corridor was not as easy due to the last minute plan change of using road travel rather than helicopter. Which is why a convoy like that was hurriedly pieced together.

The sanitary cordon was broken by civilians, the pilot cars did not warn of the crowd till too late, backup routes were not available or reconnitred .. utter mess.

The colossal incompetence displayed by the Punjab Police (and administration) is the sole reason why a sanitised corridor was not possible. Irrespective of the fact that primary option was via helicopter, multiple alternate land routes are charted out as fall back options and all of these routes are supposed to be cleared and sanitised well in time so that last minute changes like these don't catch officials off guard. The DGP was absent from the convoy in violation of protocol (even though his vehicle was in the convoy). Pieces falling into place seem to indicate that this was a manufactured mess. By whom and to what end is not clear yet.

[hserus]

There is one thing that's missing here. It is the SPG's final call to move that hurriedly pieced together convoy on a route that has not been sanitised.

If their call was overridden (and I can see the videos where various party members waving flags are closing in on the fortuner, and the SPG people look very nervous seeing this proximate security breach) then there is nothing much that is left to do except take the blue book and toss it into the dustbin.

There's only one person who can override the SPG on this matter. And it is not the DGP.

Originally Posted by sierrabravo98

The colossal incompetence displayed by the Punjab Police (and administration) is the sole reason why a sanitised corridor was not possible. Irrespective of the fact that primary option was via helicopter, multiple alternate land routes are charted out as fall back options and all of these routes are supposed to be cleared and sanitised well in time so that last minute changes like these don't catch officials off guard. The DGP was absent from the convoy in violation of protocol (even though his vehicle was in the convoy). Pieces falling into place seem to indicate that this was a manufactured mess. By whom and to what end is not clear yet.

[vishnurp99]

Originally Posted by hserus

There is one thing that's missing here. It is the SPG's final call to move that hurriedly pieced together convoy on a route that has not been sanitised.

If their call was overridden (and I can see the videos where various party members waving flags are closing in on the fortuner, and the SPG people look very nervous seeing this proximate security breach) then there is nothing much that is left to do except take the blue book and toss it into the dustbin.

There's only one person who can override the SPG on this matter. And it is not the DGP.

It's very unlikely that the SPG or the PM himself would have decided to go intentionally on a route that is not sanitised and expose himself to a situation where anything could have happened.

Based on all the unrest in Punjab police and politics with revolving DGPs and all, it's likely that Punjab police may have leaked the information and didn't guard the alternate road appropriately.

On the question of the Fortuner being used to ferry the PM, I don't think it's practical to have a Maybach or Range rover always travelling with the PM. That is the ideal case though.

[hserus]

This has happened far too many times before. Look at this one.

Small twin engined prop plane, foreigner employed as the pilot as is the case with half the airlines in India. Who in the SPG approved this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeX8I3y4cYQ

Or this. Walking into the middle of a railway station in Berlin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnopZyZH1Dg

The blue book has "gone to get oil" (gaya tel lene) far too often. Some day or the other this will not end well.

Originally Posted by vishnurp99

It's very unlikely that the SPG or the PM himself would have decided to go intentionally on a route that is not sanitised and expose himself to a situation where anything could have happened.

Based on all the unrest in Punjab police and politics with revolving DGPs and all, it's likely that Punjab police may have leaked the information and didn't guard the alternate road appropriately.

On the question of the Fortuner being used to ferry the PM, I don't think it's practical to have a Maybach or Range rover always travelling with the PM. That is the ideal case though.

[sierrabravo98]

Originally Posted by hserus

There is one thing that's missing here. It is the SPG's final call to move that hurriedly pieced together convoy on a route that has not been sanitised.

If their call was overridden (and I can see the videos where various party members waving flags are closing in on the fortuner, and the SPG people look very nervous seeing this proximate security breach) then there is nothing much that is left to do except take the blue book and toss it into the dustbin.

There's only one person who can override the SPG on this matter. And it is not the DGP.

Being acquainted with VVIP security for 2 decades (your claim), you should know that the SPG is only responsible directly for the 1st ring of security around the PM. The perimeter security is maintained by the concerned State Police. The video you are referring to shows the political flag waiving people on the opposite carriageway (metal guard-rail in between). Only way they could have got there was if Punjab Police allowed them in. Need I remind you as to who controls the Punjab Police? Also, if the proximity of those people had been by design of the SPG, the Fortuner would not have been repositioned immediately by the SPG post the arrival of the flag waivers.

As per statement released by the MHA, the Prime Ministerial cavalcade only started after the DGP Punjab gave an all clear regarding travel on a pre-decided route on which ASL and full security mock-up had already been done the night before (as has been said by the MHA as well as the Punjab Government).

[hserus]

Security of multiple kinds I said. After that, the final call on whether the convoy moves is the spg’s.

One question. How did the convoy stop exactly in position for a professional grade of camera to photograph it and for party members to come close to the cars?