Lashkar-e-Taiba bid to attack World Cup final posing as scribes averted

NEW DELHI: Barely a week before the cricket World Cup final match in Mumbai, a foreign intelligence agency had alerted India stating that the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) had managed to get forged passes and fake identity cards — issued to journalists and corporate sponsors — for the title clash at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2.

The alert had prompted the Union home ministry to send additional paramilitary forces to Mumbai to take additional care while frisking spectators and checking authenticity of passes\identity cards. A number of CISF personnel were deployed at all entry and exit gates in addition to hundreds of Mumbai Police personnel for multiple frisking.

A senior official here said, "After getting the input that the LeT militants might try to enter the stadium posing as journalists or sponsors, the Centre immediately shared the information with Maharashtra government and other agencies concerned, leading to deployment of additional security forces, including CISF personnel and NSG commandos".

Subsequently, the home ministry sent an additional secretary-rank officer to Mumbai to review the preparedness of security personnel in view of those inputs that were received last Monday. "Multiple frisking was planned in addition to checking buyers of internet tickets by tracing IP addresses of each and every computer used make the purchase," said the official.

Sources said, as per security plans, anti-aircraft guns were strategically placed. All air bases near Mumbai, Navy and Coast Guard were put on high alert to ensure security in the air and sea during the match. Quick reaction teams and women personnel of CRPF were also stationed at vital locations in and around the stadium to respond to any exigency, they added.