ISIS sympathizers threaten terrorist attack during India-Pakistan cricket match in New York

05/30/2024 / By Kevin Hughes

A pro-ISIS group has sent a threat to strike during the International Cricket Council’s 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.

The threat was broadcasted ahead of a match between India and Pakistan at the recently opened Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island, New York. The tournament, hosted jointly by the United States and several nations in the West Indies, begins on June 1 and ends on June 29.

Reports indicate that the ISIS sympathizers have organized online chatrooms using the communication protocol Matrix. They are encouraging followers to “prepare your weapons, devise your plans and then lure them in,” in connection to targeting massive sporting events.

In a series of posts, the ISIS sympathizers posted a picture of a hooded man with a sniper rifle strapped to his back with an alarming message: “You wait for the matches… And we wait for you…”

The posted graphic mentions Nassau Stadium and the date of June 9, which corresponds to the scheduled match between India and Pakistan. The graphic also shows drones hovering above the stadium, and a stick of dynamite next to a ticking clock.

Nassau Stadium has a capacity of 34,000. The stadium is expected to be at capacity during the match between India and Pakistan, big rivals and two nations where cricket is the most popular sport.

“Unfortunately, the threat of terrorism in its many and varied expressions is an ever-present danger in the world of the 21st century. Given the fact that bad actors can choose to misbehave in any way possible it makes it virtually impossible to completely seal off all opportunities,” said Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Keith Rowley. “However, in order to ameliorate these dangers, we at the local and regional levels have remained alert to many threats and singularly or together have our intelligence and other security agencies working to protect the population in countries and at venues throughout the tournament.”

The Cricket Council and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have not provided any more information on who the terrorists are. They have also not confirmed whether the threats came directly from ISIS.

“We work closely with authorities in the host countries and cities, and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” the Cricket Council and CWI said in a joint statement. “We want to assure all stakeholders that safety and security of everyone … is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place.”

New York police increasing security after ISIS threat

Meanwhile, police are increasing security on Long Island following the threat from ISIS sympathizers.

While officials announced there had been no “specific threat” of a terror attack at the stadium during the June 9 match, police are taking no chances when the international championship gets to the city. (Related: FBI warns: Hamas or other terrorist groups could attack United States.)

“This will be the tightest security that Nassau County has ever seen. Every single asset in the police department is involved, including our intelligence,” Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said. He added that the county is partnering with multiple police departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and even the Department of Homeland Security.

As reported by county officials, there will also be 100 police officers assigned to other districts, while the venue itself will be armed with metal detectors at all the entrances, a no-fly zone above and strict limits on what cricket fans can bring with them when they enter. Ryder said spectators will not be permitted to loiter outside the stadium and no drones are accepted.

“This is like the Super Bowl on steroids. If I wasn’t confident that we were safe, secure and that our healthcare measures were not in place, I would not do this,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said.

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Watch the video below about ISIS-K carrying out a Moscow-style attack in America.

This video is from the MyPodcastDropped2320 channel on Brighteon.com.