(ICC Credit)
The Islamic State terrorist organization has issued a dire threat against the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan scheduled for next month. In response, New York officials announced on Wednesday that they are intensifying security measures.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that she has “ordered the New York State Police to implement heightened security protocols, which include increased police presence, advanced surveillance, and rigorous screening procedures.”
Bruce Blakeman, the head of Nassau County, adjacent to New York City where the match will be held, commented: “We ensure that we are prepared for any potential situation. Consequently, we have implemented numerous precautions.”
“We take every threat seriously. There are the same procedures for every threat. We don’t minimise threats. We track down all of our leads,” he added.
The terrorist group known as the Islamic State, or IS, posted an image on a British chat site showing drones over the cricket stadium at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County, with the date “9/06/2024″—the day of the India-Pakistan match.
NBC New York TV broadcast a screenshot of the post, reporting that county leaders have asked the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to declare Eisenhower Park a no-fly zone for drones.
New York officials have described the ISIS post as not a “credible threat” but affirmed that they are closely monitoring the situation, increasing security measures, and preparing for any potential issues.
Governor Hochul stated: “Although there is no credible public safety threat at this time, we are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”
“My Administration has been working for months with federal law enforcement and Nassau County to ensure New Yorkers and visitors are safe,” she said.
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder stated that although “there are no credible threats at this time,” his department “continues to monitor the situation and is proactively deploying resources to ensure safety as you go about your daily activities.”
Despite the absence of an organized attack by ISIS, the risk of lone wolf attacks—individuals or sympathizers acting independently—remains a concern.
The World Cup Cricket stadium, which can accommodate 30,000 spectators, was constructed specifically for the tournament and will host matches in the US along with a venue in Dallas. The event begins on June 1 with an exhibition match between India and Bangladesh, followed by regular tournament matches starting on June 3 with a game between India and Sri Lanka, and concluding on June 12 with an India vs. US match.
NBC New York reported that the security preparations for the World Cup event are the most extensive Nassau County has ever undertaken, comparable to those for presidential debates.
As part of the safety measures, it was mentioned: “Local hospitals are also on standby in case they are needed.”
The British newspaper Express was the first to report on the threat, stating that it also targeted sporting events in Europe. According to the Express, ISIS “followers are encouraged to target major events” including the Cricket World Cup.
The Express reported that there were extensive discussions on the forum about how the terror group should use drones armed with explosives to attack civilians at major sporting events across Europe.
The Express also noted that chat room members who shared the stadium threats detailed their terror skills, including handling AK47 rifles, and discussed amounts of money in pound Sterling, indicating that some might be based in Britain.
