The upcoming India vs. Pakistan ICC Cricket World Cup match on October 14 (Saturday) is expected to be the tournament's most highly anticipated clash, and as a result, stringent security measures are being put in place. The National Security Guard (NSG) Commandos, who played a pivotal role in the 26/11 attacks, will be stationed in Ahmedabad to ensure the safety of the event, Insidesport.in reported.
As per the InsideSport report, over 11,000 personnel from various agencies, including the Gujarat Police, NSG, Rapid Action Force (RAF), and home guards, among others, will be deployed both in Ahmedabad and at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the India-Pakistan World Cup cricket match. These extensive security arrangements have been implemented in response to perceived threats.
Although Ahmedabad has not witnessed any communal violence during cricket matches in the past two decades, security forces will be present in several potentially sensitive areas as a precautionary measure, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police G S Malik told InsideSport.
During a press briefing, G S Malik mentioned that Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel had scrutinized the security preparations and directed the police to take all necessary measures to prevent any untoward incidents during the match. The security arrangements have been meticulously planned, taking into account factors such as the movement of over 100,000 spectators at the stadium and a recent threat received via an email from unidentified individuals.
Malik was quoted as saying by InsideSport, "Along with more than 7,000 police personnel, we will deploy nearly 4,000 home guards to secure the stadium and to maintain law and order in communally sensitive areas of the city during the match. In addition to these personnel, we will deploy three ‘hit teams’ and one anti-drone team of the NSG. Nine teams of our bomb detection and disposal squad will also be utilized".
Reports indicate that the Mumbai Police received an email containing threats from an unidentified sender, who threatened harm to the prime minister and the detonation of Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The sender also demanded Rs 500 crore and the release of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from jail. Malik noted that the city police have assessed such threats and determined that the email was sent from a foreign location.
Pakistan are next playing against Sri Lanka at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on October 10 whereas, India are set to contend with Afghanistan the very next day at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.