Sourav Ganguly Urges India to Sever Cricket Ties With Pakistan After Pahalgam Terror Attack

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has issued a firm message to Pakistan following the terror attack in the Kashmir valley on Tuesday, April 22.

Speaking to reporters, Ganguly said that India should sever all cricketing ties with Pakistan, including matches in ICC and Asian tournaments.

Photo Credit: PTI

When asked about the future of cricketing relations between the two nations, the former Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) president emphasised that terror incidents on Indian soil were occurring far too frequently and should no longer be tolerated.

"One hundred per cent, India should do this (break ties with Pakistan). Strict action must be taken. It has become a mockery that such incidents happen every year. Terrorism cannot be tolerated," Ganguly told reporters.

Terror struck India once again on April 22 when five to six terrorists opened fire in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam, killing 26 people and injuring many others.

The Resistance Force (TRF), a Pakistani terrorist group affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the assault.

Earlier, speaking to Sports Today, BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla had also condemned the attack. Shukla reiterated that India does not participate in bilateral series with Pakistan, respecting the Indian government's stance on diplomatic relations.

India had already declined to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, instead playing all their matches at the Dubai International Stadium.

"We stand with the victims and we condemn this attack. We follow whatever our government decides. We do not engage with Pakistan in bilateral cricket and will not do so in future either. However, when it comes to ICC tournaments, we participate due to the engagement commitments with the ICC. The ICC is also aware of the ongoing situation," Shukla told Sports Tak.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also pledged firm action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. Speaking in Bihar, the Prime Minister delivered a resolute message, assuring that justice would be served.

"Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world. India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their supporters. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth," PM Modi declared, switching to English during his address.

"India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation stands united in this resolve," he said in Madhubani, a region where Maithili and Hindi are predominantly spoken.

"Everyone who believes in humanity stands with us. I thank the people and leaders of other countries who have supported us," PM Modi added, acknowledging international support following Tuesday's attack.