2200 cops deployed for semi-final

MOHALI (Agencies) - The Punjab Cricket Association stadium has turned into fortress with nearly 2200 cops being put on duty for the high-profile World Cup semi-final clash between India and Pakistan which will be attended by Prime Ministers from both nations. Anti-aircraft guns will be deployed and NSG commandos will join a large number of security personnel to provide security at the stadium, which will be primarily taken over by the elite Special Protection Group. Police and paramilitary forces were today deployed along the routes leading to the stadium, which is about 12 km from Chandigarh's Hotel Taj, where the two teams are staying. Security personnel also positioned themselves on the rooftops in the adjoining buildings of the stadium to maintain strict vigil. Cricketing ties between the two countries were suspended in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has accepted his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh's invitation to watch the high-voltage match. "Five SSPs will be posted to look into overall security. We are leaving nothing to chance. The security will be multi-layered and inner ring will be taken care of by the SPG, NSG while the outer ring will be manned by the paramilitary forces and outermost cordon by the police," Mohali's SSP, GPS Bhullar said. He said that anti-sabotage teams, teams of mounted police, 150 CCTV cameras, Quick Reaction Teams, bomb disposal and sniffer dog squads would be in place as part of foolproof security, which also included drawing up of contingency plans to meet any untoward situation.