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Unprecedented security cordon for India-Pakistan clash
View(s):- President orders tough measures at NSC meeting for arch rivals’ T-20 encounter; thousands of security personnel to secure stadium and surrounding areas
By Damith Wickramasekara
Unprecedented security measures are in place for today’s high-profile T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Defence, convened a special meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) yesterday solely to discuss security arrangements for today’s game.
Addressing the NSC meeting, the President had pointed out that stringent security arrangements should be in place to ensure the safety and security of thousands of Indian and Pakistani fans who have flown in for the marquee clash between the two arch-rivals. Senior diplomats and government officials of both nations are also due to be on hand to witness the match, he had pointed out.
Several Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopters have been placed on standby for today’s game to be used in any emergency situation, while the Police Special Task Force (STF) has been tasked with security over the entire stadium, including security of both teams, diplomats and other VIPs, a senior government source told the Sunday Times yesterday.
Additionally, 2800 officers, including those from the police, the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and the State Intelligence Service (SIS), will be deployed both inside and outside the stadium for “surveillance duties”, the source added. A team from the Police Cybercrime Division will also be on hand to thwart any possible cyberattack targeting the match.
A group of 750 Sri Lankan Army personnel have also been placed on standby near the stadium.
The SLAF has been ordered to mount a special “drone operation” to closely monitor the situation both inside and outside the stadium. Drone jammers will be deployed to ensure no unauthorised drones can be flown anywhere near the Premadasa ground.
A team of Army Commandos has also been placed on standby for today’s game, while special police motorbike units will be on patrol around the vicinity of the stadium.
Spectators will not be permitted to park their vehicles near the stadium. They will instead be directed to designated car parks situated some distance away. Shuttle services will be deployed at these car parks to ferry them to and from the ground.
The vast security operation for the India-Pakistan game began last evening with a search operation around the vicinity and within the stadium.
“The special security operation will continue until the last spectator leaves the stadium after the match,” the source emphasised. The match is scheduled to begin at 7.00pm.
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