India bridge players “safe and secure” in Pakistan

The Indian contingent in Lahore to participate in the 22nd Bridge Federation of Asia and Middle East (BFAME) Championship is "safe and secure" and will stay put in Pakistan until the tournament ends on May 13.

Amidst the unrest in Pakistan sparked by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, there were reports that the 30-member bridge contingent from India has been asked to return immediately. A Bridge Federation of India official and Jaggy Shivdasani — among the country's leading bridge players who is competing in the championship — confirmed that is not the case. They will finish the tournament on Saturday and leave for India on Sunday as per the original schedule.

“Yes, we were worried today looking at the situation here and there was a bit of panic for a few hours. But from what I know, the Indian high commission had only communicated to the Pakistan Commission to ensure that we are protected," Shivdasani said from Lahore.

The contingent, which continued to play the rounds on Wednesday, has been advised to remain within the premises of the hotel where the tournament is being held. “We had dinner plans outside tonight, which we had to cancel. We feel completely safe and secure in the hotel. There was already a lot of security here when we arrived, which too they have increased. We feel well protected by the Pakistan police,” Shivdasani, who was part of India's 2018 Asian Games bronze-winning men's team and is also in the squad for the Huangzhou Asian Games later this year, said.

"We will finish the tournament on Saturday and leave on Sunday morning. We are told we will have armed personnel escorting us when we leave for the Lahore-Amritsar border," he added.

India are in the top position in all four events of the championship. Besides India and Pakistan, teams from Jordan, Bangladesh, Palestine and UAE are participating.

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