India pledges ``fool-proof'' security to Pakistani cricketers

The top bureaucrat in the home ministry, secretary B.P. Singh, said a federal panel would be set up to coordinate security with police and other agencies of the states where the teams would be playing.

``The main task will be to ensure fool-proof security to the Pakistani players -- on the roads, on the playgrounds and wherever they go,'' Singh was quoted as saying by the Times of India and other newspapers.

The tour, starting on January 21, will be Pakistan's first Test series on Indian soil in 12 years.

About 25 supporters of firebrand Hindu leader Bal Thackeray's Shiv Sena party stormed New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla stadium, venue of the first Test, on Wednesday night and dug up the pitch.

Four people arrested for damaging the Kotla wicket admitted they were carrying out instructions from Thackeray, who on Friday ``thanked'' them for their ``patriotism''.

``We have taken note of the developments ... and whatever is necessary will be done,'' Singh said, adding the foreign ministry was in ``constant'' touch with the Pakistan High Commission over the security arrangements.

The Pakistani team, who last played a Test on Indian soil in March 1987, is due to arrive here on January 21 for a two-Test series, the Asian Test championship opener against India and a triangular one-day series also featuring Sri Lanka.

In 1991, Thackeray's supporters vandalised the pitch at Bombay's Wankhede stadium two days before Pakistan were to start a limited over series in India.

Pakistan cancelled that tour, and two more in 1993 and 1994, because of security fears. They played in India during the 1996 World Cup and the Independence Cup the following year without any problems.

Pakistan are not scheduled to play in the Shiv Sena-controlled western state of Maharashtra, including the cricket-mad state capital of Bombay, during the two-month tour.

But officials in New Delhi vowed to stage the first test match in the capital.

``We will see to it that no disruption takes place and the match is held in an orderly manner,'' Lieutenant Governor Vijai Kapoor said.

A senior Pakistan cricket official is scheduled to visit India next week to assess the situation.

``We are sending Brigadier Saeed Rafi to monitor the situation,'' Pakistan Cricket Board's chief executive Majid Khan told AFP.

Pakistan High Commissioner to India, Ashraf Jahangir Qazi, who visited the damaged pitch on Friday, said his government was concerned about the safety of the players.

``The Pakistan government also want the tour to go ahead as per schedule. But until we are satisfied with the security conditions I cannot commit anything,'' Qazi said.