Pak gives thumbs up to WC Hockey security arrangements

A team from Islamabad is here to evaluate the security scenario in the national capital ahead of the World Cup hockey to be held at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

"We are satisfied with the security arrangements for the World Cup. We have gone to the hotels also. We will report to the Hockey Federation in Pakistan about our assessment," senior Pakistani security officials Rana Mujahid and Pervez Bandara told reporters here.

Besides India and Pakistan, Hockey majors like Germany, Britain and Australia are among the 12 teams fighting for the championship.

Close to 19,000 security personnel, including 200 gun-totting commandos and 1,000 men of central para military forces will be deployed for ensuring a smooth conduct of Hockey World Cup, being held in India after 18 years.

The World Cup Hockey is being considered as a "dress rehearsal" for Delhi Police ahead of the Commonwealth Games in putting in place a security apparatus and planning traffic for mega event.

Taking no chance, the city police has chalked out an elaborate security and traffic plan for the event which will be held from February 28 to March 13 at the stadium located near India Gate.