India vs Pakistan: Security Tightened To Combat 'Chemical, Radiological' Threats In Ahmedabad

The security level has been tightened in Ahmedabad ahead of the India vs Pakistan match on October 14 following threats. Over 11,000 personnel including the National Security Guard (NSG), Rapid Action Force (RAF), home guards, and Gujarat Police have been arranged for the safety of Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Emphasising the security arrangement, Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police G S Malik said Ahmedabad has never witnessed communal violence in the last 20 years during cricket matches played in the city.

According to Malik, precautions are being taken after a threat was received by unidentified persons through an email. However, more than 1 lakh spectators are expected to turn up at the stadium.

Malik while addressing a press conference asserted that the chief minister directed the police to take all necessary steps to ensure that no unwanted incident takes place during the match.

"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 was quoted as saying.

He further said teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will also be deployed in the city to respond to any "chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies" during the match.

Reportedly, an email was received by the Mumbai Police from an unidentified sender threatening to harm the prime minister and blow up the Narendra Modi Stadium. The reports also said that the sender demanded Rs 500 crore and the release of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from jail. According to Malik, the mail was sent from a foreign location.