Commandos, para military force to guard hockey World Cup

NEW DELHI: Nearly 200 gun-totting commandos and 1000-odd personnel of central para military forces will be deployed in the national capital for a smooth conduct of the Hockey World Cup, being held in India after 28 years.

Home Ministry sources said 200 commandos especially skilled in sharp shooting will be manning the high-rise buildings around the venue — National Stadium — near the famous India Gate.

The sources said as many as 10 companies of central para military forces (1,000 personnel) will be deployed in the city during the February 28-March 13 tournament.

The tournament will see participation by 12 countries and around 400 players and delegates.

Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal met Home Minister P Chidambaram and Home Secretary GK Pillai.

“We have asked for additional forces and that has been given. We shall give full security to Games and city,” Dadwal said.

The last Hockey World Cup was held in India in 1982 in Mumbai where Pakistan lifted the cup. India’s best finish in this tournament was their 1975 triumph in Kuala Lumpur.

The decision to review the already elaborate security arrangements for the hockey World Cup was taken as a result of the blast in German Bakery, a famous eatery in Pune’s posh Koregaon Park, which killed nine people, including two foreigners.

Home Ministry sources said the main concern is over the hockey World Cup as any terror incident in the run up to the event may lead to withdrawal of participating nations.

Home Secretary G K Pillai had said the government has put in place a very elaborate arrangement for the tournament.

“We are in close touch with security liaison officers of all countries that are coming here to participate. So far, all of them have seen the preparations done by the Delhi Police and the MHA. They are quite satisfied,” the Home Secretary had said.

The authorities would continue to alter or update these security measures in light of specific terror threats.

The Centre has decided to review the security arrangements for major sporting events, including the Indian Premium League and the Commonwealth Games.

The hugely popular IPL cricket matches will be held between March 13 and April 25 and the Commonwealth Games will be held between October 3 and 14.

The Commonwealth Shooting Championship will also be held here between February 17 and 28 during which 1,000 athletes and officials from 30 countries will visit India.

The IPL matches are huge congregation of international cricket stars, Bollywood personalities, huge crowds and media making them a sitting duck for the terrorists.

The security of Commonwealth Games will also be reviewed afresh to ensure safety of 9,000 athletes from 71 countries besides 1,00,000 international spectators, who are expected to visit the country.