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Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur reaffirmed the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) stance on bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan in international tournaments, amid increasing calls for boycott following the tragic Anantnag encounter in Jammu & Kashmir.
The nation was left in shock and anger after three top Indian security personnel lost their lives in a fierce gunfight with Pakistan-based terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir, igniting widespread outrage.
In the wake of this tragic incident, cricket enthusiasts once again urged the BCCI to sever all cricketing ties with Pakistan, even in international events like the World Cup and Asia Cup.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla addressed the issue on Thursday, stating that India would continue to participate in matches against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments. However, he clarified that there would be no bilateral cricket engagements between the two nations without the explicit approval of the Indian government.
Minister Anurag Thakur echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that India would persist in boycotting bilateral sporting ties until Pakistan takes definitive action to halt cross-border terrorism.
“BCCI had decided much earlier that we would not engage in bilateral matches with Pakistan until they put an end to terrorism, cross-border attacks, and infiltration,” Thakur declared during a press conference. “I believe the sentiments of the country and its citizens align with this stance.”
Bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan came to a halt in 2012 due to the escalating tensions between the two nations. Since then, their encounters have been limited to ICC and ACC tournaments.
The recent tragedy unfolded during an intense firefight in the remote Kokorenag region, resulting in the loss of three Army personnel, including a Battalion Commander Colonel and a Major, along with a Deputy Superintendent from the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Another soldier remains unaccounted for, causing concerns about his safety and well-being.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, and Deputy Superintendent Humayun Bhat sustained critical injuries during the confrontation in the Garol area of Anantnag district, highlighting the grave challenges faced by Indian security forces in the region.
