Pakistan Intel Warns Of Alleged Plot To 'Kidnap Foreigners' Attending ICC Champions Trophy

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau warned the security establishment of a possible conspiracy by "active covert groups" to kidnap and hold hostage international visitors attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS, and groups based in Balochistan are among the terror organisations included in the alert as potential threats.

To guarantee the players' and their teams' safety, Pakistan's security forces have responded by deploying high-level protection teams, which include local police and rangers.

Pakistan is hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is an important event for cricket in the nation. Concerns regarding Pakistan's security preparedness, however, have grown, particularly in light of its history of attacking foreigners.

Doubts have been raised by noteworthy occurrences such as the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore and the 2024 attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla.

India chose not to send it's team for the tournament in Pakistan due to security concerns. India will play its matches in Dubai instead. Given that India is a top contender for the Champions Trophy, the decision caused controversy. India's decision is believed to have been influenced mostly by Pakistan's security status and the current geopolitical tensions.

The ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 began on Wednesday, with defending champions Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening match at Karachi’s National Stadium. Pakistan entered the tournament as the defending champions, having won the 2017 edition by defeating India in the final.

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