Centre to provide security forces for Dharamsala ICC World Twenty20 match, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi: Although a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the India-Pakistan ICC World Twenty20 cricket match scheduled in Dharamsala, the country's Home Minister Rajnath Singh said central paramilitary forces will be provided to ensure security to the March 19 event.

"If the (Himachal Pradesh) Chief Minister asks for security forces, we will provide," he said.

The BCCI has also stated that the match will go ahead as planned in the Himalayan region and security measurements will not be an issue. 

The situation of Himachal Pradesh not providing security forces in the marquee match between India and Pakistan in Dharamsala on March 19, had arrived with the state's ex-servicemen protesting against the game in the wake of January 2 Pathankot terror attacks.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Tuesday, had written a letter to the Union Home Minister stating that his government cannot provide security for the match.

The Congress party minister had also said war veterans of the state did not want the Indo-Pak match to be held in Dharamsala.

"They are not opposing the holding of matches. They are against the Pakistan team playing in Himachal Pradesh," Singh had said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shaharyar Khan had also written to BCCI seeking assurance of foolproof security to Pakistani players.

With tickets being booked and preparations for the match being done since quite some time, this blockade has threatened with the progression of the game. But as things stand it could go well ahead and fans could expect a cracker of a tie in the beautiful hill station,

(With PTI inputs)