IB, NSG men to guard cricket team

The Cabinet today decided to send personnel of the Intelligence Bureau and the National Security Guards to the West Indies to look after the Indian team's security during the cricket World Cup.

The Cabinet approved strengthening the security of the Indian team after the West Indies approached India for help following the death of Pakistan team coach Bob Woolmer.

The group going to the West Indies would include a two-member advance-liaison team comprising one officer each of the IB and the NSG. This team will immediately leave for Port of Spain and remain there for a week to work out arrangements with the organisers of the tournament.

The IB would depute two more officers to the Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre till the return of the Indian team. This is done to co-ordinate sharing of intelligence.

Further, one officer each from the IB and the Delhi Police will remain with the Indian team. Two 16-member bomb disposal squads of the NSG, comprising three officers, will operate in the West Indies under the overall command of the Caricom Organisation, Planning and Coordinating Staff.

Parliament Affairs Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshhi said the expenditure incurred on this would be Rs 2.58 crore.