Bomb hoax call at PCA stadium throws security into a tizzy

A bomb scare at the PCA stadium following a hoax phone call on Sunday sent the security agencies in a tizzy ahead of the high-voltage World Cup semifinal match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on Wednesday.

An anonymous caller claimed that a bomb had been placed inside the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here, which is hosting the much-anticipated match, the police said. The call was made to the Chandigarh police, who informed their Punjab Police counterparts.

Punjab Police personnel then searched the stadium, including the building at which the caller claimed to have planted the bomb, with anti-explosive equipment even as the Indian cricket team was having training session at the grounds. Sniffer dogs were also pressed into service. A cop with the sniffer dog, who was checking the stadium premises, confirmed that he had been told to check thoroughly as some call had been made to the police.

Mohali's Deputy Superintendent of Police (City) R. S. Sohal said that the call had been received by the Chandigarh police. Police sources said that four calls were made, from the same mobile number, to the Chandigarh police control room this evening.

Police said they had traced the caller, who hailed from a slum colony in Chandigarh. However, as the security personnel kept checking the stadium for any explosive, most of those inside remained unaware of what was happening.

The Indian cricket team was having a light training session inside the ground at the time when security personnel were conducting the check while most journalists from outside Chandigarh who have come to cover the match were also ignorant about the check being conducted.