Mumbai, May 19 (IANS): Retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ranjit Kumar Das will be the new security advisor of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The board, in a statement Tuesday, said that with the World Cup round the corner, security issues were of "paramount" importance.

"India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will co-host the Cricket World Cup, cricket's showpiece event early next year. The addressing of security concerns is paramount. The preparations for the same have begun, and no effort is being spared to put together an event that will not only enhance the image of the sport, but also that of the subcontinent," BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said.

Das has served as Director - Special Protection Group (SPG) of the Prime Minister of India, Director General (DG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). He also had a stint at the Indian Embassy in Washington as liaison Officer for International Counter Terrorism efforts.

His previous assignment was as advisor-security to the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010.