Inside the high-security evacuation of IPL teams from Dharamsala amid Indo-Pak tensions

Fans being evacuated from Dharamsala stadium on Thursday, PBKS-DC toss (Pic: AFP/IPL/BCCI)

In a swift and tightly coordinated operation, both Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals contingents were safely evacuated from Dharamsala on Friday and transported under heavy security to Jalandhar railway station. The move comes in the aftermath of a mid-match cancellation on Thursday, following an attempted drone incursion near Chandigarh by Pakistan, which prompted a prompt Indian counter-response.

Kangra Superintendent of Police, Shalini Agnihotri, confirmed that the evacuation was conducted seamlessly and without incident. The squads, including players, support staff, and broadcasting personnel, are currently en route to New Delhi aboard a specially chartered train, PTI reported.

"On Friday morning, the entire contingents of both teams, including players, coaching staff, and broadcast personnel, were moved in around 40 to 50 small vehicles from Dharamsala to Hoshiarpur, located at the Punjab border," Agnihotri stated. She further explained that the convoy received security escort from Kangra Police until the state border, where Punjab Police then assumed control of the operation.

Upon reaching Hoshiarpur, the teams were escorted to Jalandhar railway station, where arrangements had been made for their onward journey via a special train.

Recounting Thursday's events, Agnihotri highlighted the prompt evacuation protocol initiated after the aerial threat. "The stadium was cleared within 20 minutes. Our first priority was the safety of everyone present. Both teams' players were immediately called back from the ground and shifted to their respective hotels under tight security," she said.

The IPL 2025 fixture between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals, being played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, was abandoned after just 10.1 overs due to the escalating security situation. The stadium was evacuated swiftly as precautionary measures were enforced.

Earlier on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially suspended the remainder of IPL 2025, citing national security concerns. The military escalation follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, prompting the Indian armed forces to launch 'Operation Sindoor' in retaliation.

In a statement, the BCCI emphasised that national priorities take precedence in such situations: "National interest trumps other considerations at a time when the country is responding to a terror attack and unwarranted aggression from across the border."

(With inputs from PTI)