Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau has issued a warning regarding a potential threat from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), which is allegedly planning to kidnap foreign nationals attending the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 for ransom.
Intelligence reports indicate that the terror outfit is specifically targeting Chinese and Arab nationals, having conducted surveillance at ports, airports, offices, and residential areas frequented by visitors from these countries.
According to security agencies, ISKP operatives are believed to be renting properties on the outskirts of cities to use as safe houses.
These locations are reportedly chosen for their lack of surveillance cameras and accessibility only by rickshaw or motorcycle.
The intelligence reports further suggest that abducted individuals would be moved between safe houses under the cover of darkness to evade security forces.
Earlier reports indicated that the Pakistani government has deployed military and paramilitary rangers to bolster security for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Additionally, over 10,000 policemen, including elite commando units, have been assigned to secure venues and team hotels in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the federal interior minister, is personally overseeing security arrangements for the tournament.
However, the latest intelligence warning has further raised concerns over the safety of the event.
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The warning has heightened concerns about Pakistan’s ability to ensure security at major international events.
The country has previously faced allegations of downplaying attacks on foreign nationals, raising doubts over its preparedness.
The 2024 attack on Chinese engineers in Shangla and the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore remain stark reminders of security lapses.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan's General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) has also issued alerts about possible ISKP attacks on key locations and has intensified efforts to track missing operatives linked to the group.
In 2024, Al Azaim Media, affiliated with ISKP, released a 19-minute video denouncing cricket as a Western tool of intellectual warfare against Muslims.
The group claimed that the sport fosters nationalism and propaganda, which they asserted conflicts with Islam’s jihadist ideology.
They also criticised the Taliban for supporting Afghanistan’s cricket team.
Pakistan is hosting the ninth edition of the ICC Champions Trophy but has had a challenging start to the tournament.
The 2017 winners suffered defeats in their first two matches, including a six-wicket loss to India on February 23, followed by another setback against New Zealand.
Will Pakistan continue to host Champions Trophy matches?
Pakistan is hosting a major ICC event for the first time since 1996 when it staged the World Cup final.
Since then, security concerns have largely prevented international cricket in the country.
The latest threat report has put both the PCB and the government under scrutiny.
Should these security fears materialise, the ICC will face a critical decision regarding the tournament’s future.
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