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NEW DELHI Indian armed policemen will be travelling in team buses of 12 countries participating in the World Cup hockey tournament starting here on Feb 28. Pakistan and Australia will get maximum security cover.
Armed policemen will escort players when they move to and from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, where the matches will be played.
The stadium, in the heart of the city, is located barely two kilometres from Le Meridien hotel, whose 240 rooms have been booked for the participating teams.
“The players will travel in normal buses, not bullet-proof vehicles,” a senior officer, dealing with security of the players, said.
“India and Pakistan are different countries. As of now, no intelligence agency has reported any threat to the World Cup. But we are taking precautionary measures,” the officer added.
Besides two-three armed officers who will travel in buses with the players, there will be a police escort ahead of players' bus, stated the official.
Although Indian government does not want to generate needless fears, it is equally determined to ensure that nothing goes wrong since any mishap will cast a shadow on the Commonwealth Games to be staged in October.
Teams from Pakistan and Australia will get maximum security cover, he added.
The participating countries are Argentina, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, England, India, Pakistan, South Africa and Spain.
Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said “We are taking World Cup as a dry run for the Commonwealth Games. It will be a full-fledged rehearsal where multiple agencies will coordinate and work hand in hand to prevent any untoward incident.” —Agencies
