ATS on Toes After Reports of Terrorist Recce at Wankhede Stadium Before IPL; Top Cop Dismisses Threat

Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), in a circular issued ahead of the IPL season, has said that security around the stadium will be increased during the tournament starting Sunday. Security will be beefed up for cricketers and other staff, and around the hotels where IPL players are staying. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police Commissioner Sanjay Pandey has said that news about a terror threat on IPL is “unfounded”.

Taking to Twitter, Pandey said, “News about #terrorthreat on #ipl is unfounded. Please don’t rely on any such news.”

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil stated in the Assembly on Thursday that there is no threat to Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in Mumbai and refuted reports in a section of media.

“Earlier in the day, the Mumbai police too had clarified that they had received no intelligence inputs about any terror threat during the tournament.There was news in a section of the media about a threat to IPL in Mumbai or someone conducting a recce….There is no threat to the IPL in Mumbai. Nobody conducted recce, there is no threat from anyone. And the police department too has made this clear,” Walse-Patil said in the Assembly.

During the first security review meeting ahead of the tournament, it came to be known that terrorist organizations conducted a recce around Wankhede Stadium and Hotel Trident. This was revealed by a suspect presently in the custody of the ATS, said sources.

Citizens have been asked not to park their vehicles in and around Marine Drive, close to the Wankhede stadium. A response team, bomb squad, and state reserve police have also been roped in to ensure security through the IPL season.

Apart from, Wankhede Stadium, BCCI has decided to host IPL matches in DY Patil Stadium and Brabourne in Mumbai and the MCA Stadium in Pune. As per new guidelines, all the 70-games will be played across four venues in Maharashtra, providing unquestionable help to Mumbai Indians who will enjoy playing at home.

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