Cricket West Indies Receives Threat From Pakistan Terror Outfit; Hosts Intensify Security

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Cricket West Indies Receives Threat From Pakistan Terror Outfit; Hosts Intensify Security

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The Cricket West Indies (CWI) is addressing concerns about security threats from North Pakistan aimed at the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup hosted in the Caribbean and the US.

This response comes in light of terror alerts linked to Pro-Islamic State (ISiS) groups, including ISKhorasan (IS-K), which have incited violence against global sporting events.

Jonny Graves, the CEO of CWI, emphasized the ongoing efforts to secure the tournament, stating to Cricbuzz, “We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.”

The alarming security alerts have highlighted potential threats from IS-K, a branch active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This faction has notably released video messages urging its supporters to perpetrate attacks in their respective countries, intensifying the security concerns for events like the World Cup.

Caribbean authorities have reportedly been vigilant in tracking these threats. Graves assured, “We want to assure all stakeholders that safety and security of everyone at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.”

The World Cup is set to occur from June 1 to 29, involving matches across several islands in the West Indies including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago, along with games in US cities such as Florida, New York, and Texas.

The final stages of the tournament, namely the two semifinals and the final, are scheduled in Trinidad and Guyana, and Barbados, respectively.

Further reports from Trinidad’s Daily Express indicate that Caribbean Community (Caricom) and regional security agencies are actively collaborating to mitigate any risks. Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted these cooperative efforts.

The threat intelligence was purportedly circulated through Nashir-e Pakistan, a media group affiliated with the Islamic State, which has previously been linked to propagating threats against international events.

Despite these reports, there has been no specific indication of threats to the matches scheduled in the United States. The International Cricket Council (ICC) aligns with the CWI’s stance, reinforcing their commitment to safety and emphasizing their unified response to any potential threats.

As the tournament approaches, the cricket community remains watchful, relying on stringent security measures and international cooperation to ensure the event proceeds safely, allowing fans and players alike to focus on the cricket spectacle.