New Delhi, March 27
As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets his Pakistani counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani to watch the Cricket World Cup semifinal between the two nations at Mohali, it would be a day to maintain extra vigil for the security forces.

While the arch-rivals clash inside the stadium on March 30, the Army’s NSG commandos will have to ensure that the games goes on uninterrupted. They would be positioned both inside and outside the venue.

And in order to thwart any terror attempt from the air, the Air Force would keep its forward airbases and fighter jets across Punjab and Haryana — at Chandigarh, Ambala and Halwara — war-ready.

According to sources, the airspace over Mohali and Chandigarh would be closed while the match is on, meaning flying activity of any sort would be prohibited. The security forces would apply the same parameters as during the opening and closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October last.

Gilani and his entourage, including Punjab (Pakistan) Governor Latif Khosa, would land in a special plane at the IAF base in Chandigarh, located 3 km away from the stadium. Most likely the VVIP will be whisked away in IAF’s MI-17 chopper to a helipad near the stadium as the road from the airbase to the stadium was circuitous and crossed through Chandigarh.

On the Indian side, some of the senior Cabinet ministers may be busy with electioneering, but a fair number of them are expected for the Mohali match, being billed as “once in a lifetime cricket classic”. Sources said the two prime ministers were also slated to meet the two cricket teams, besides holding “discussion” among themselves.

Punjab Cricket Association authorities have been asked to identify a room at the plush cricket stadium where the two PMs can meet each other. So far, it is expected that Gilani will fly back the same night. Islamabad is about 90 minutes away via air from Chandigarh.