While the PCB assured added security measures to the Indian Cricket Team, following their concerns over security at the Champions Trophy, Pakistan face their biggest fear now.. a security breach. As per a report in CNN-News18, Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau sent a high-level alert on Monday, warning the security agencies about a plot by the “active covert groups” to kidnap foreign nationals.
Pakistan Intel Warn Agencies
The report further suggested the names of the groups, who might get involved in these incidents — the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS, and other extremist groups. Now, as an added measure, Pakistan has further increased the security cover — at their three venues of the Champions Trophy — Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. It must be reminded to all, that Pakistan is hosting an ICC event after 1996.
Champions Trophy Under Threat? Added Pressure on PCB
The country saw no cricket action for over a decade, when in 2009, the Sri Lankan team was attacked in Lahore. That only raises further doubts on the capability of Pakistan security forces. Earlier, the Punjab Police in Pakistan had come up with a comprehensive security arrangement for CT 2025, for the Lahore and Rawalpindi Stadiums. As per a report in The News, as many as 12,000 security personnel were to be deployed in the venues/cities, to ensure proper security to the visiting players.
It is important to note, that if the Indian team qualifies for the final — they are through to the semis already — the summit clash will once again be played in Dubai only. Otherwise, if that is not the case, the hosting rights will come back to Pakistan.
