No efforts will be spared to ensure Indian cricket team's security: MEA

Terming the Indian cricket team as a 'national treasure', the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday stated that every effort will be made to ensure the safety of the players currently touring Australia.

The ministry was reacting to the ongoing hostage situation in Sydney, where an armed man had earlier in the day taken an undisclosed number of people hostage at the Martin Place Cafe and displayed a black flag with Arabic script in the window, sparking off a security alert in that country.

"The Indian cricket team is a national treasure and no efforts will be spared to ensure their security," MEA official spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told the media.

Akbaruddin also stated that the Australian authorities have significantly beefed up the security for the team while it is touring that nation.

"We have been in touch with the Australian authorities, who have confirmed to us that they have significantly beefed up the security and they will ensure strict security arrangements are done for the Indian cricket team while they are in Australia," he said.

According to reports, the local police have surrounded the besieged cafe in Sydney and have made contact with the gunman. Five of those captured have reportedly have managed to escape. Meanwhile, media reports state that the authorities in Australia have sealed off the surrounding streets in the city and have evacuated people from buildings and suspended rail services following the incident.