The countdown for the biggest match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has begun. Team India will take on Pakistan at the world's largest Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14, 2023. India vs Pakistan World Cup 2023 match is among the highly anticipated matches of ICC's marquee tournament and it is expected that over 1 lakh people will witness the 'arch-rivals' in action.
With fans around the world eagerly waiting for the INDvPAK WC23 match, India's most wanted terrorist & Sikh For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is busy inciting Pro Khalistani elements to carry out terror attacks during the ICC Cricket World Cup.
For the unversed, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a few days back had threatened a terror attack during the Cricket World Cup 2023 and blow up the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. As a result, Gujarat Police had filed an FIR against Pannun last month.
Ajit Rajyan, ACP, Cyber Crime, Ahmedabad was quoted saying, "An FIR has been registered against Pannu at the Ahmedabad cyber police station. The Ahmedabad city police have taken note of threatening calls made to the residents of Ahmedabad, presumably to create fear among them. Pannu is a proclaimed terrorist whose intent is to propagate hatred, disrupt the nation’s unity and security, and provoke the public."
While Pannun's threat looks more like a hollow word, the Gujarat Police and government are leaving no stone unturned in tightening the security of the India vs Pakistan match.
India vs Pakistan Security arrangements
As per reports, a few days back Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel held a meeting with Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, state DGP Vikas Sahay, G S Malik and other senior police officers in Gandhinagar to review the police's action plan to ensure that the high-profile sports event passes off without any trouble.
G S Malik addressing a press conference revealed, "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 utilised."
"Apart from 13 companies of the state reserve police (SRP), we will deploy three companies of Rapid Action Force as part of our security setup. The RAF will keep a watch on communally sensitive areas of the city. To help people in case of a stampede, we have already prepared an evacuation plan and rehearsals are also going on at the stadium," Malik added.
It is pertinent to mention here that multiple VIPs are expected to attend the India vs Pakistan match. The Bollywood stars event will start at 12:40 PM on the day and will end by 1:10 PM. Kids will be acting as mascots for the game and will escort teams to the ground.
Not only this, but 20-25 Pakistani media outlets will also be coming for the match. Some officials from PCB are also expected for the match.