• According to September 24 reports, around 2,500 security officers are deployed in Rawalpindi, especially near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (RCS), to monitor the crowds attending the National T-20 Cricket Tournament, which began on September 23 and will run until October 13. The security protocols will continue until the end of the tournament.  
• Security measures at the stadium have also been bolstered, including the use of metal detectors, walk-through gates, and the deployment of snipers on building rooftops in the vicinity of the stadium.  A traffic management plan will also be implemented to facilitate the entry and exit of crowds though exact details of road closures and traffic diversions are not available as of writing. 
• Per law enforcement, there was no immediate threat of any kind in the city and the measures were only preemptive in nature. 

1. While no threat was ascertained by law enforcement, the heavy security deployment underlines authorities’ militancy-related safety concerns, especially in light of the recent withdrawal of the New Zealand cricket team due to a security alert from Wellington. The broad nature of security measures, including the deployment of snipers, further underscores authorities’ preparedness to counter any possible militancy-related threat, which accompanies high-profile sports events in the country. 
2. Given the enhanced security measures, security checks, in the form of ID and vehicular checks, in the vicinity of the venue are likely to be significantly enhanced with the possibility of on-the-spot interrogations by officers regarding the nature of travel of individuals in the area while penalties are likely to be levied for violation of traffic rules. Due to the extensive nature of the security arrangements, disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic are expected to occur in the vicinity of the RCS. 

Those operating or residing in Rawalpindi on September 24–October 13 are advised to maintain vigilance due to the enhanced security measures and the latent risk of militancy while allotting for travel disruptions in the vicinity.