A Pro-Isis group has sent a chilling threat ahead of the T-20 World Cup game between India and Pakistan at the newly-opened Nassau Stadium in New York. The tournament is set to be held in the United States and the Caribbean in June.
A previous report in the Express had revealed that online chat rooms were being used via the Matrix.org network by ISIS supporters as they urged followers to “prepare your weapon, devise your plan and then lure them in” in relation to targeting sporting events including the T-20 World Cup. Other events that they allegedly were encouraging followers to target were the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley stadium on June 1 and the Olympic Games in Paris.
A threat posted by the group shows a graphic of a man in a hood, who is brandishing a rifle. According to the report, the post read: “You wait for the matches…”, alongside the chilling message: “And we wait for you…”
The poster also namechecks the location of ‘Nassau Stadium‘ as well as the date June 9, which is when India and Pakistan are set to play each other in the cricket tournament. The competition itself will commence on June 1, with countries contesting the tournament through until June 29.
The graphic also depicts airborne drones above a rendering of a stadium, while also including a stick of dynamite, alongside a ticking clock. It is expected that a capacity crowd of 34,000 spectators will be present to see India and Pakistan play at the new ground, situated outside of Manhattan.
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This will be one of eight games which are planned for the temporary stadium at Eisenhower Park. Previously fears of terrorist attacks have been downplayed by the ICC. The prime minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Keith Rowley also said: “Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century.
“Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities.”
He added: “However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament.”
ICC and Cricket West Indies have not confirmed whether the post originated from the Islamic State or propaganda channel, Nashir-e Pakistan. However, the ICC and CWI did state: “We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.
“We want to assure all stakeholders that safety and security of everyone at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.”
Previously, Professor Dr. Christian Kaunert, Chair of Policing and Security at University of South Wales, said: “I would imagine this is a very, very high risk summer with a number of high profile events happening from the European Football Championships to the Olympic Games in Paris.
“The current anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish, anti-Israeli climate makes a much more fruitful environment for ISIS to radicalise people as they try to outdo Hamas.”
Content Source: www.express.co.uk