India announced on Friday that it will boycott all sporting events with Pakistan, including cricket matches, until that nation puts an end to cross-border terrorism. The decision was made in response to the shooting murders of two Army personnel—a Colonel and a Major—as well as a high-ranking police officer in the Jammu and Kashmir region of Anantnag.
Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, announced on Friday that there won’t be any cricket matches between India and Pakistan until that nation puts an end to terrorism. Thakur said, “BCCI has already taken the decision that bilateral matches with Pakistan will not be played by India till they stop cross-border terrorism. This is in line with the sentiments of Indian citizens.”
The decision indicates that unless Pakistan and India accept that discussion and terrorism cannot coexist, there will be no bilateral series between the two countries. After three security officials were killed while battling terrorists in an encounter in Anantnag, there were loud calls for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to boycott the Pakistan cricket team and any match with them.
Responding to the anger among Indians, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla told ANI, “There’s a very clear policy; we don’t play any bilateral series with Pakistan.” He further said that the BCCI demands strict action against terrorists. In the past 20 years, the government has fought against terrorism.” He added, “We salute the Indian Army and police fighting there, and it’s very sad that three officers lost their lives.”
The Asia Cup is already over for Pakistan. Pakistan and India were slated to face each other in the ICC ODI World Cup. The eagerly anticipated cricket match between India and Pakistan is set for October 14 at Ahmedabad Stadium.
