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This is an archive article published on March 7, 2004

Extra cover, Undercover

From the time they land in Lahore on Wednesday till their departure on April 18, the Indian cricket team will be under unprecedented securit...

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From the time they land in Lahore on Wednesday till their departure on April 18, the Indian cricket team will be under unprecedented security. Here’s a sampler…

Every breath they take…

The highest three-layer presidential security, provided to President Musharraf, with special units of paratroopers guarding them at all times on the tour. In Karachi, this job has been assigned to Pak Rangers; at other venues, to the Elite Guards or Special Squads

On the road

The players’ cavalcade will be flanked by the special units with traffic blocked to ward off any untoward incident. In Karachi, which is considered most sensitive of all venues, helicopters will be used for aerial surveillance of the motorcade and crowd movement

Ground rules

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Spectators will be screened at all stadia. They will not be allowed to carry in anything — no water bottles, cigarettes or matchboxes. The players’ enclosure would be out of bounds for everyone except members of the Indian delegation.

Barring the three-member Indian security team, who will carry communication units, no one will be allowed to carry mobiles

After hours

Hotel wings will be blocked off with entry and exit screened at all times. The team will not be allowed to venture outside the hotel without prior notice/permission, so that checks can be carried out

Only two official functions listed so far for the Indian team: a dinner each hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Indian High Commissioner, where each invitee would be screened. There could be a third dinner if President Musharraf or Prime Minister Jamali play host

How Peshawar, Karachi made it

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What clinched the one-dayer for Peshawar was that the only hotel there is surrounded by army establishments on two sides and a government office on a third side

In Karachi’s case, the clincher was the intent and the capability of the Pak Rangers in providing the highest level security

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