The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, currently taking place in India, has been marred by a disturbing development. Mumbai Police recently received an email containing a grave threat to the safety of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, which is one of the tournament's key venues.
The sender of this email demanded a staggering sum of Rs500 crore and the release of incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as conditions to prevent an impending attack. The ominous message went on to claim that militants were already in position to execute these threats.
Within the email, the sender ominously warned, "We will blow up Narendra Modi and the Narendra Modi stadium as well if the government fails to pay us Rs500 crore and release Lawrence Bishnoi. Everything sells in Hindustan, so we too have bought something.
No matter how much you secure, you won’t be able to remain safe from us. If you wish to talk, do so on this email." This dire situation prompted an immediate response from law enforcement agencies, who are now actively involved in the investigation.
Officials have informed the media that all relevant agencies have been alerted, and they have successfully traced the origin of the email to a location in Europe. Initial investigations suggest that this threat may be a hoax or an act of mischief perpetrated from abroad.
Nevertheless, security forces are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to identify and apprehend the sender. Furthermore, safety measures for all cricket matches are being thoroughly reviewed and will be bolstered if deemed necessary.
This unsettling threat follows a prior warning from Khalistani separatists who vowed to turn the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 into a "World Terror Cup." In response to this threat, the Ahmedabad police's cybercrime branch registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organization.
As a precautionary measure, security at the stadium was significantly heightened, with approximately 3,500 police personnel deployed during the opening match held on October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera. The safety of all involved remains of paramount importance during this high-profile sporting event.