The safety of the players in the ongoing Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan has come under question following the latest terror development. An India Today report states that Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau has issued a warning about a potential threat from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which is reportedly planning to kidnap foreigners attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for ransom.
The report further states that terror outfit is said to be specifically targeting Chinese and Arab nationals, conducting surveillance at ports, airports, offices, and residential areas frequently used by visitors from these countries.
#BREAKING: Intelligence agencies have picked up chatter about a possible attempt at a terror attack on #ChampionsTrophy2025 in Pakistan by ISKP group. Indian agencies have also been briefed about it by foreign counterparts. Chatter picked up about a possible kidnapping or a…
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 24, 2025
How are the ISKP operative operating?
According to intelligence reports, ISKP operatives plan to rent properties on the outskirts of cities as safe houses, deliberately choosing locations without camera surveillance and accessible only by rickshaw or motorcycle. The group intends to move kidnapped individuals between safe houses under the cover of night to evade security forces.
Security arrangements for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Earlier multiple reports had stated that the Pakistani government is using the military and paramilitary rangers to shore up security for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy in the country. Reports further stated that the government has already appointed over 10,000 policemen including elite commando units to provide security at the grounds and team hotels in Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the federal interior minister, is personally overseeing all the security arrangements for the tournament. However the latest report has cast further doubt over security of the tournament.
Will Pakistan continue to host Champions Trophy matches?
Pakistan are hosting a major ICC event for the first time since 1996. In 1996 the country had hosted World Cup final after which terrorism factor had halted cricketing events in the country. The latest report has now put PCB and country under spotlight and if the reports do turn out to be true then ICC will have a huge decision to make.