Not leaving anything to chance, the Government is flying out 16 commandos from the elite NSG to protect the Indian cricket team during the WC.
The Indian team arrived at Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Friday. The bodies will be tired. The spirit? That had better be willing
Black Cats for Men in Blue
Government to send 16 commandos to protect the Indian team during WC in the West Indies
NEW DELHI: Not leaving anything to chance, the Government is flying out 16 commandos from the elite National Security Guards to protect the Indian cricket team during the World Cup in the West Indies.
The Special Forces would also include explosives experts, who would comb all stadiums where even non-Indian matches would be played.
The decision to send personnel from NSG, country’s premier anti-hijack and anti-terror commandos, was taken on the request of West Indies, sources said. Through diplomatic channels, West Indies had told New Delhi their inability to provide security cover against threats such as those from Islamic terror groups.
The decision was also prompted by a recent report filed by security officials who accompanied Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat during his visit to West Indies in November. They had pointed out several lacunae in the security.
Colonel HS Pathania of the NSG is presently in Trinidad and Tobago overseeing the arrangements and putting in place the security apparatus that would be necessary to ensure a safe world cup starting on March 11, sources said. He is presently working out the strategies with the Caricom (Caribbean Community) Operational Planning and Coordination Staff for the World Cup. Colonel Pathania is expected to return in a few days before flying out the 16-member Commando team.
The NSG team would provide the proximate security to the Indian cricket team through out their stay in West Indies, sources said. Besides, the NSG would be sanitizing all the match venues for explosives. The NSG team is expected to take along its high-end explosive diffusion equipment and IED detectives to the Caribbean.
Two senior security officials including at least one from the Intelligence Bureau would be overseeing the entire security apparatus and hold liaison with the local security agencies.
The NSG team would be operating out of Trinidad and Tobago, the base camp of Indian cricket team. The NSG team would provide security clearance certificate for all venues before the start of each match, sources said.
Not our move, says BCCI
The Cricket Board on Friday said the decision to send NSG commandos was the government’s move and the BCCI had not made any specific request in this regard.
“Security issues are decided by the government taking into account the scenario at the venue. The BCCI had not made any specific request,” said BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla. Shukla said the Board had not received any information about the government’s decision.
“Till now we have not received any intimation. Past security issues in the West Indies could have prompted the government to ensure that the team is guarded well.”
Apparently, the government took a decision in this regard after West Indian officials conveyed through diplomatic channels about their inability to provide elaborate security to Dravid & Co.
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