11 February 2005	Friday	01 Muharram 1426

NEW DELHI, Feb 10: Right-wing Hindu activists opposed to Pakistan's cricket tour of India were arrested on Thursday making an unsuccessful attempt to damage the pitch at one of the match venues.

A police official said six members of the hardline Shiv Sena party were arrested as they tried to enter the Mohali stadium in the northern state of Punjab bordering Pakistan.

"They were caught trying to enter the ground. There is no damage to the pitch," police officer Tarlochan Singh said from Mohali.

Pakistan arrive later this month to play their first test series in India for six years.

Bi-lateral series between the two cricket-mad nations have been infrequent in the last decade owing to political tension. Relations between the two countries have, however, improved in recent months.

Shiv Sena is opposed to any sporting ties with Pakistan, accusing Islamabad of aiding an armed separatist revolt in Indian Kashmir.

Shiv Sena activists dug up the pitch at New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla stadium before Pakistan's last test tour in 1999.

Pakistan, scheduled to arrive in India on Feb 25, will play three Tests and five one-dayers.-Reuters