Sports, terrorism cannot go hand in hand: India tells Pakistan

With the Indian High Commission denying visas to Pakistani wrestlers to participate in the Asian Wrestling Championship being held in India, Minister of Sports Vijay Goel on Wednesday said terrorism and sports cannot go hand in hand and Islamabad need to understand this fact.

"Terrorism and sports cannot go hand in hand. Pakistan needs to understand it. They should stop cross border terrorism in order to improve bilateral relationship. They should see that incidents of mutilation of bodies of Indian soldiers do not take place in future," Goel said.

"I am aware of it. (Indian High Commission denying Pakistani wrestlers visas)Boycotting Pakistan in sports is only a reflection of India's hard stand," he added.

The Dawn had earlier quoted Muhammad Arshad, Secretary Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF), as saying that the federation had approached the High Commission 45 days ago with a request for granting of visas to the two wrestlers and accompanying officials.

Pakistani wrestlers Muhammad Inam Butt and Muhammad Bilal would now not be taking part in the event scheduled to take place between May 10 and 14, and the PWF has said that it will lodge a complaint with the United World Wrestling and demand that India be stripped off its right to host international events unless it guarantees that visas will be issued to all participating players.

The Indian Army had confirmed the news by releasing a statement.

"Pak Army carried out unprovoked Rocket and Mortar firing on two forward posts on the line of control in Krishna Ghati Sector. Simultaneously, a BAT action was launched on a patrol operating in between the two posts. In an un-soldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated. Such despicable act of Pakistan Army will be appropriately responded."

Speaking on PWF's warning, the Sports Minister said that Pakistan could say whatever it want but the entire world is aware about Islamabad and its connection with terrorism.

This move from the Indian authorities could be seen in the wake of mutilation of two Indian Army soldiers who were killed in a ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir's Krishna Ghati Sector.