Indian hockey team in Pakistan after five years

An 18-member Indian hockey team received a warm welcome here from banner waving fans today when it arrived in Pakistan for the first series in the rival country in five years.

The players will take part in a four-match series starting later this month. Some 200 policemen were deployed to maintain security at the airport, in sharp contrast to a much heavier deployment seen in March when the Indian cricket team visited Pakistan after the neighbours resumed sporting ties. Hockey fans carrying banners saying "Welcome to Pakistan" and "We welcome Indian team" gathered outside the airport to cheer the visitors.