The epic India-Pakistan cricket match World Cup semi-final which be witnessed today by the Prime Ministers of both countries in Mohali in India’s Punjab, is a source of great concern for security forces. The Times of India reported that Israeli-made UAS, also during the Commonwealth Games last year, will be used for air surveillance.
The National Technical Research Organization (NTRO) has been given the task of coordinating activities and the airspace over the tri-city (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula) has been declared a no-fly zone with Indian Air Force helicopters on operational stand-by.
At Mohali, where the two teams will face each other, water-tight security has been put in place. Multi-layered security has been thrown around the stadium, including Special Protection Group (SPG), National Security Guard (NSG), central and state police forces.
“Prime ministers of India and Pakistan besides a host of VVIPs will be watching the match so we have made water-tight security arrangements,” said Mohali’s Senior Superintendent of Police, GPS Bhullar. Anti-aircraft guns will be placed strategically and NSG commandos will join a large number of security personnel to guard the stadium, which will be primarily taken over by the elite SPG.
Security personnel also positioned themselves on rooftops in adjoining buildings of the stadium to maintain strict vigil. Anti-sabotage teams, police, 150 CCTV cameras, Quick Reaction Teams, bomb disposal and sniffer dog squads would be in place as part of fool-proof security, which also included drawing up of contingency plans to meet any untoward situation.
With arch-rivals facing each other after a long gap as bilateral action between the two nations had been suspended in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, cricket mania has been touching new heights with each passing day.