India vs Pakistan, World Cup 2023: Gujarat Police, full-fledged security deployed in Ahmedabad, says report

Ahead of the eagerly-awaited 2023 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad, preparations are very well underway not just on the field, but off it.

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According to a report in News18 CricketNext, officials of Gujarat Police, Rapid Action Force and bomb squads teams have been stationed at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

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The road that leads to the stadium will be closed on early morning on Saturday, and only spectators and officials who have valid tickets or permits will be permitted beyond the barricaded space, the report adds.

“Security is going to be very tight. We will have a staff of more than 20,000-25,000 at least tomorrow, can even be more. There will be no shortage of personnel here,” a senior inspector who was deployed near the stadium entrance, told News18 CricketNext.

Four teams of Chetak Commandos will also be deployed and each team will have an armored vehicle.

“We are mostly called for extreme and sensitive situations. That is what we are for. Yes, that is a fully bullet proof vehicle (pointing to a van standing behind them) and we will have these in four zones around the stadium,” said a Chetak Commandos team member.

Cybercrime teams, crime branch, economic offences wing and special economic group will also be deployed at the stadium.

The report goes on to say that for every Pakistan player, at least four police personnel were present as they ensured comfortable entry and exit to the practice area from the main ground, as well as vice-versa.

The Pakistan team bus also had security that were deployed for entry and exit to and from the stadium.

Both India and Pakistan are coming off two consecutive wins in the 2023 World Cup. While India got the better of Australia and Afghanistan, Pakistan defeated Netherlands and Sri Lanka.

India are in third place with four points, and Pakistan in fourth with the same number of points, with only net run-rate separating the two sides.