ISKP threatens to kidnap foreigners at Champions Trophy in Pakistan: Reports

As Pakistan host an International Cricket Council (ICC) event after 29 years in the country, the same issue that has kept the country away from hosting important cricketing events is casting its clouds again.

Reportedly, intelligence bureau of Pakistan has warned that Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) may kidnap foreigners who are attending the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. 

Reports also suggest that ISKP may target Chinese and Arab nationals, as they rent safehouses in the areas that are not under CCTV surveillance and inaccessible to larger vehicles like cars.

Pakistan, in past has also faced similar incidents of security lapses at major international events, such as 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.

ISKP has earlier shown dissent against cricket, and also has criticised Taliban for supporting the Afghan Cricket Team. The group calls it against the Islam ideology, as the sport promotes nationalism.

Meanwhile, the hosts are going through the time in the tournament, having lost their first two matches in the group state. On Sunday, Pakistan lost to archrivals India, a team that has refused to play in Pakistan for security reasons. Before that, the Mohammed Rizwan-led men lost in Karachi against New Zealand.

With two-losses, they have been practically kicked out of the tournament they are hosting after a long time.