Islamic extremists have threatened Indian cricketers due to begin a tour of Bangladesh this week with serious consequences if they went ahead with their trip, the Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh said on Sunday. "Bangladesh foreign ministry has been informed about the threat from Harkat-ul-Jihad," Veena Sikri, India's high commissioner in Dhaka, told Reuters.
She said the threat was made in a letter sent to the embassy.
Harkat-ul-Jihad is a little-known radical organisation in Bangladesh and police have arrested its activists for attacking and injuring secular authors in the past.
Indian cricketers are due to arrive in Bangladesh on Tuesday to play a two-test and three one-day matches this month. Mission officials said they had informed New Delhi and Indian cricket officials of the threat but could not say whether the tour will be called off.
Bangladesh Cricket Board officials said the board had asked the home ministry to tighten security and hoped the threat would not disrupt the series.
India cricketers have visited Bangladesh several times in the past. The last time they played in Bangladesh was in 2001-02 in a three-nation tournament that also involved South Africa.
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