- Title: Bangladesh military demonstrates security capability ahead of cricket series
- Date: 6th October 2016
- Summary: DHAKA, BANGLADESH (OCTOBER 6, 2016) (REUTERS) HELICOPTER CARRYING COMMANDO TEAM ARRIVING OUTSIDE DHAKA CRICKET GROUND COMMANDOS JUMPING OUT OF HELICOPTER COMMANDOS RUNNING INTO CRICKET GROUND COMMANDOS TAKING POSITION SHOTS BEING FIRED MOCK MILITANT ON LYING ON THE GROUND AFTER BEING SHOT VARIOUS OF COMMANDOS EVACUATING CRICKET TEAM OUTSIDE CRICKET GROUND (SOUNDBITE) (English) HEAD OF BANGLADESH ARMY 1 PARA COMMANDO BATTALION, LIEUTENANT COLONEL IMRUL HASAN, SAYING: "You all know that a series is going on between Bangladesh and England cricket team, so for the security purpose this is an arrangement we made, just a demonstration including all the stockholders especially Bangladesh army special force, 1 Para Commando Battalion, army aviation group, Bangladeshi airforce and other security agencies all together we played a demonstration. Here I make a point to mention that Bangladesh army and to be particular 1 Para Commando Battalion is always ready to take on anything, any situation, any stand to safeguard the players and any security situations." (SONDBITE) (English) ENGLAND AND WALES CRICKET BOARD'S CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER, REG DICKASON, SAYING: "The graphic demonstration of the capability, response capability of the Bangladesh army and response units, it's, it gives us a lot of confidence touring your wonderful country, to have the support of the agencies you have and we thank you very much for all the support." COMMANDO GUARDING HELICOPTER FOR CRICKET PLAYERS' EVACUATION VARIOUS OF HELICOPTER TAKING OFF
- Embargoed: 21st October 2016 09:27
- Keywords: Bangladesh England cricket security military
- Location: DHAKA, BANGLADESH
- City: DHAKA, BANGLADESH
- Country: Bangladesh
- Topics: Cricket,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00152V9EF3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A Bangladesh army Commando unit took part in a security drill in Dhaka's cricket ground on Thursday (October 6) ahead of a series against England.
England's cricket tour of Bangladesh opened under tight security on Tuesday (October 4) with a friendly match against an invitational side in Fatullah.
"You all know that a series is going on between Bangladesh and England cricket team, so for the security purpose this is an arrangement we made, just a demonstration including all the stockholders especially Bangladesh army special force, 1 Para Commando Battalion, army aviation group, Bangladeshi airforce and other security agencies all together we played a demonstration. Here I make a point to mention that Bangladesh army and to be particular 1 Para Commando Battalion is always ready to take on anything, any situation, any stand to safeguard the players and any security situations," said the Head of Bangladesh Army 1 Para Commando Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Imrul Hasan, after the security drill.
The England and Wales Cricket Board's security delegation deemed the country was safe for the five-week tour to proceed after concerns were raised following an attack by gunmen on a cafe in Dhaka which killed 22 people in July.
But England's squad was weakened by the withdrawal of one-day captain Eoin Morgan and batsman Alex Hales due to security fears over the tour which comprises three-one day internationals and two test matches.
Muslim-majority Bangladesh faces what appears to be a growing threat of militant violence and has seen a string of incidents last year including the shooting of three foreigners, two of whom died.
Last year, Australia pulled out of their tour to Bangladesh over security concerns and did not compete in the under-19 World Cup hosted in the country for the same reasons.
Cricket is no stranger to dealing with security issues in South Asia. Pakistan have hosted most of their international matches in the United Arab Emirates since a bus containing the Sri Lanka team was attacked by 12 gunmen in Lahore in 2009.
The tourists' first match was a limited over fixture against a Bangladesh Cricket Board select side near the capital Dhaka. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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