Kathmandu, August 26

Security personnel are on high alert as the date for fourth summit of Bay of Bengal Initiative or Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation nears.

BIMSTEC summit will be held at Soaltee Hotel on August 30 and 31, and dignitaries will start arriving in Kathmandu from August 28.

Government sources said security personnel from all security agencies will provide security to dignitaries of the BIMSTEC summit in three layers with the Nepali Army soldiers forming the first layer around the dignitaries — heads of state/government. Second the third layers of security will be provided by Armed Police Force and Nepal Police respectively.

NA Spokesperson Gokul Bhandari said security personnel of all four agencies — NA, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department would act in a coordinated and collaborative manner to provide security to the dignitaries and participants. Bhandari said the layers would be formed as per the need. He said security personnel were put on high alert in some key places from this evening.

Asked if there was any specific threat against any dignitaries, Bhandari replied in the negative. “There is no specific security threat against any dignitary but as we are the host nation, it is our duty to remain on high alert and take all measures to provide robust security to our dignitaries and participants,” he added.