Ahmedabad: The Indian cricket team is set to face off against their Pakistani counterparts tomorrow on the pitch of the Narendra Modi Stadium. Audience entry will commence at 10 am, with the match scheduled to begin at 2 pm. The audience, which is expected to number over 1.25 lakhs, will spend approximately 12 hours at the world’s largest cricket stadium for this grand event.

You might wonder why anyone would spend nearly twelve and a half hours in the stadium to watch a nine-hour match. The reason is that this is an international event, garnering global attention. The match between India and Pakistan, known as arch-rivals in the sports world, has also raised security concerns due to threatening emails received by the NIA and a threatening audio message from the terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. In light of these concerns, the state government and central agencies are taking no risks and allowing spectators to enter the stadium at 10:00 am for security reasons.

In response to the security threats, special measures have been implemented. An NSG anti-drone team, NSG HIT team equipped with AK-47 and MP5 rifles, as well as automatic pistols, has been deployed at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium to respond to potential attack situations. Central agencies have provided crucial information following the receipt of threatening emails and audio clips, leading to enhanced security measures in the city. BSF, CRPF, local police, and senior and junior IPS officers will ensure security from the match venue to the city’s entry points.

A comprehensive plan has been established to deploy maximum police forces in the city on match day, with various forces, including SRP, stationed in sensitive areas. Ahmedabad City Police, in coordination with additional police and paramilitary forces, have taken responsibility for ensuring maximum accuracy.

Stringent security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the stadium. Roads leading to the stadium, hotels, and guesthouses have been closely monitored, with inspections beginning on October 11. Special checks and investigations cover hotels, guesthouses, PG accommodations, and details of tenants within a 10-kilometer radius of the stadium. Security will be enforced at the city’s borders, with thorough inspections of all vehicles heading towards the stadium.

Inside the stadium, physical checks will be conducted at gates, including bag and purse inspections. Metal detectors, sniffer dogs, and a bomb squad will be on standby. Drone cameras will monitor the stadium’s exterior, and special security teams, including Quick Reaction Teams, Watch Towers, Bulletproof Squads, Special Surveillance Teams, and Interception Teams, will be deployed.

Special security arrangements have been made for VVIPs, who are expected to make up approximately 20-25% of the attendees. VVIPs will be transported from the airport to the stadium through a dedicated corridor, with escorts led by DSP-level officers. A special lift will be reserved for VVIPs, and three exit doors have been constructed at the back of the stadium for their immediate evacuation in case of any untoward incidents.

To review the security arrangements, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel last week held a high-level meeting with senior officials. The Chief Principal Secretary, Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, and the Director General of Police, among others, were present. Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghvi, also participated.

Notably, the India-Pakistan match has generated immense excitement, with tickets priced from 2000 rupees to 1 lakh rupees having sold out.

Earlier, the NIA received a threatening email targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. The email demanded a ransom of Rs 500 crore and the release of the imprisoned gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The suspect behind this incident has since been apprehended by the crime branch. Following this, security measures were heightened.

Additionally, terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, associated with the ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ) organization, issued threats against the Cricket World Cup to be held in India through an audio clip. The audio contained references to Khalistan flags being displayed at the stadium and avenging the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has been designated as a terrorist by the Government of India. DeshGujarat