In the wake of the ceasefire violations by Pakistan and twin terror attacks in Samba and Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir Indian Style Wrestling Association has for the first time decided not to invite grapplers from across the border for the 9th Mission Dosti International Indian Style Dangal.
"We have not invited the Pakistani wrestlers this year. Although they (Pak grapplers) were interested to come and take part in the International Indian Style Dangal at Katra, but we did not invite them at all", Association's President Shiv Kumar Sharma told PTI.
"The decision to not invite the wrestlers from Pakistan was taken in view of the increasing LoC ceasefire violations, firings, attacks on Indian posts, infiltrations and terror attacks in Kathua and Samba recently," Sharma said.
"How can we ignore Pakistan's attempt of attacking Army and people to keep militancy up."
The Dangal will be held this year in Katra base camp on October 11.
The association had setup this tournament in 2005, to be held at the basecamp of Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine during Navratras to forge strong friendship bonds with Pakistan.
During past eight years Pakistan grapplers had been taking part in the Mission Dosti Dangal and also won the prestigious title of Rustum-e-Indo Pak Dangal title.
J&K has instead invited wrestlers from England, Belarus and Ukraine to participate in the competition.
Sharma added that apart from the international athletes, grapplers from Maharashtra, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Railways, BSF, J&K Police and Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled to participate in the event.
