PESHAWAR, Dec 27: A five-member Indian delegation discussed security measures with the NWFP police on Tuesday ahead of the visit of Indian cricket team to play a One-day International here next month. The Indian delegation led by Inspector General of Security in Indian Home Affairs department Yashvordhan Azad expressed his satisfaction over the security plan for the Indian cricketers in Peshawar, which is scheduled to host ODI to be played on Feb 8, next year.

Flanked by Prof R S Sheti, Rajiv Sinha, Ranbhir Singh Krishna and Pankaj Tripatti, Mr Azad said after the meeting with the local authorities that he had no problem to give a go-ahead to the Indian team to play the match after the security assurances from the Capital City Police.

The Indian delegation landed at Peshawar airport around 5am to assess the security measures. After meeting with police top brass, it left for Islamabad without inspecting the Arbab Niaz Cricket Ground where the Feb 8 match would be played.

“We do not need to visit the stadium to asses the security measures. Last time we inspected the ground and its surroundings and I hope the security will remain the same for the incoming Indian cricket team’s tour to Peshawar,” Mr Azad maintained.

The Indian security team head said that the ongoing peace building measures between the two countries were very much on the track, but their visit was a part of the cricket team tour to a foreign country.

He said that they would not bar any Indian cricketer from going around the city before or after the match here, but the primary focus of the team would be on the game.

He also wished that in the next tour the Indian team would play a Test against Pakistan in this historic city. “We will provide security to the Indian team not only in the ground, but also at the hotel and routes of their travelling,” said Provincial Police Officer IGP Riffat Pasha.

Talking to reporters after the Indian security team left for Islamabad, Mr Pasha said that during the discussion they assured foolproof security measures for the Indian team’s visit to the city.

The security personnel would remain alert not only in uniform, but also in plain clothes would encircle the team to protect them during their visit. Luckily, Peshawar was among the most secure places of the country where during the last two years no big incident of terrorism had occurred.

Only two years ago, some miscreants fired missiles on the important government installations in the city. But the criminals were arrested later on.

APP adds from Karachi: Earlier on Tuesday the Indians visited National Stadium Karachi (NSK) to check security at the venue that will host third Test in upcoming tour of India.

During their visit, they inspected the ground, enclosures and dressing rooms of the venue, where Test from Jan 29-Feb 2, 2005 and fifth One Day International (ODI) on Feb 18 will be played.