'Terrorists planning to kidnap foreigners attending Champions Trophy': Pakistan intel
What's the story
Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau has sounded a high alert over possible kidnapping threats from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) amid the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy 2025. The bureau has warned of an ISKP plot to kidnap foreigners, especially Chinese and Arab nationals, attending the event for ransom, India Today reported. Intelligence reports suggest ISKP operatives are surveilling key locations and planning to rent properties on city outskirts as safe houses.
Security doubts
ISKP's alleged plot raises security concerns
The ISKP's alleged plot includes renting properties in areas devoid of camera surveillance, reachable only by rickshaw or motorcycle. The kidnapped persons may be transported from one safe house to another at night to avoid detection by security forces, the intelligence reports said. This warning has raised concerns over Pakistan's ability to secure international events, especially after past incidents like the 2024 attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla and the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
Collaborative efforts
Afghanistan's intelligence agency on alert
Afghanistan's intelligence agency has also warned authorities of potential ISKP attacks on important places. The agency is stepping up efforts to trace missing operatives associated with the outfit. Notably, this comes after ISKP-affiliated Al Azaim Media released a video last year criticizing cricket as a Western tool against Muslims and alleging that it promotes nationalism and propaganda, contradicting jihadist ideology. Pakistan is hosting the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy.