shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Sports News > Cricket News > Article > Anantnag encounter No India vs Pakistan bilateral matches until terrorism ends asserts Thakur

Anantnag encounter: 'No India vs Pakistan bilateral matches until terrorism ends', asserts Thakur

Updated on: 15 September,2023 08:54 PM IST  |  New Delhi
mid-day online correspondent |

Anantnag encounter: India and Pakistan haven't played a series since 2012-13, following which bilateral cricket has been suspended due to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours

Anantnag encounter: 'No India vs Pakistan bilateral matches until terrorism ends', asserts Thakur

Anurag Thakur, IND vs PAK (Pic: AFP)

Key Highlights

  1. No bilateral series between India and Pakistan until terrorism ends: Anurag Thakur
  2. India and Pakistan haven`t played a series since 2012-13
  3. Pakistan cricket team are scheduled to visit India next month to play the ODI World Cup

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur asserted that any bilateral series of cricket between India and Pakistan would not be held until the latter puts an end to 'terrorism' following the Anantnag encounter on Thursday.


"BCCI had decided much earlier that we would not play bilateral matches with Pakistan until they put an end to terrorism, cross-border attacks and infiltration. I think the sentiments of the country and of the public are also the same," Thakur told reporters. This comes after three top Indian security personnel were recently killed in a gunfight in Anantnag's encounter with Pakistan-based terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir which has enraged the entire country.


An Army Colonel commanding a Quick Response Team (QRT) of the Rashtriya Rifles, lost his life in the ongoing gunfight in the Anantnag district. An Army Major and a Deputy Superintendent with the Jammu and Kashmir Police also fell to enemy fire in the Kokernag area.


The slain senior Army officers and the DSP were identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak, and Humayun Bhat.

Also Read: Reserve day to rescue!

Notably, India and Pakistan haven't played a series since 2012-13, following which bilateral cricket has been suspended due to heightened diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours. PCB have also demanded the resumption of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan on several occasions. Earlier this month, BCCI president Roger Binny and vice-president Rajeev Shukla travelled to Pakistan following an invitation to members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and other cricket boards by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to attend Asia Cup matches taking place in Lahore.

"It was a two-day visit and a good visit. The Governor hosted a dinner in our honour. The hospitality of the people of the Pakistan Cricket Board was also good. Their demand was that cricket between the two countries should be resumed, we said it would be decided by govt and we would do whatever our govt would say. It was a cricket visit and there was no political agenda," Shukla was quoted as saying.

Notably, Pakistan cricket team are scheduled to visit India next month to play the 50-over World Cup, including a league match against India in Ahmedabad on October 14. Last year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced that India will not travel to play Asia Cup 2023 which is being hosted by Pakistan and will be played at a neutral venue.

(With agency inputs)

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK