Terrorists might slip in as Pak fans: Cops

The police’s fears are based on intelligence alerts as well as history. Pakistanis entering the country on valid visas as cricket fans have failed to return home within the stipulated time and have gone missing in India.

“There is a high threat perception for the World Cup final and we have received several inputs from multiple agencies. If Pakistan make it to the final,cricket fans from the country will visit the city to watch the game. One major concern is that terrorists could enter the country posing as cricket fans,” said a senior Mumbai Police officer involved in planning the elaborate security arrangements for the match,on condition of anonymity.

In a goodwill gesture,India has provided visas to 5,000 Pakistani citizens for watching the ongoing World Cup matches. When Test teams of the two countries clashed in India in March 2005,as many as 34 Pakistani cricket fans who visited Chandigarh for the first match failed to go back,with security agencies suspecting they could be ISI operatives. Some were eventually arrested,but more than 10 are still missing.

Sajid Mir,an alleged mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attack,is also believed to have secretly visited several places in the country after having entered as a cricket fan during the period. Mir’s movements for 15 days are unaccounted for and it is suspected that he scouted several sites during the visit.

According to Home Ministry figures,the number of Pakistanis overstaying in India without reporting to immigration authorities has been on the rise.

As many as 4,742 Pakistanis had disappeared after expiry of visas in the year 2005,the number went up to 5,392 in 2006; 6,038 in 2007; 7,547 in 2008 and 7,691 in 2009. Only 371 of the 4,742 missing Pakistanis in 2005 were traced and deported.

“We are taking all possible security measures to keep discreet but close track of the foreigners who will enter the city to see the final,of where they will stay and what places they visit. The world’s eyes will be on the city and we are making all necessary arrangements to ensure nothing untoward happens. We also have means of keeping tab on online ticket sales,” said the officer.

“There are multiple levels of security that we have put in place for the final. The National Security Guard,Army,Navy and Air Force will also be on standby. Wankhede will be secured like Fort Knox and Mumbai has never witnessed the kind of security there will be in place,” he added.