• Source:JND
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The upcoming India-Pakistan match in the 2025 Asia Cup has left the families of those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack emotional and disturbed. For them, the decision to host an event involving Pakistan is a disrespect to the martyrs and the Operation Sindoor.

The Pahalgam terror attack claimed the lives of 26 people when multiple gunmen, suspected to have infiltrated from across the Pakistani border, opened fire on crowds at a popular tourist destination in Pahalgam. In response, India launched precision strikes targeting several terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in an operation which was later known as ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The retaliatory attack led to a sharp escalation in cross-border tension, resulting in further casualties of civilians and army men on either side. The incident sparked nationwide calls in India to cut all forms of ties with Pakistan, including sporting ties. However, the BCCI agreed to participate in the 2025 Asia Cup even before receiving formal approval from the Central government.

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What Did the Pahalgam Victims' Family Say?

“When we got to know that the India vs Pakistan match was being organised, we were very disturbed. No sort of connection should remain with Pakistan… If you want to play the match, bring me back my 16-year-old brother who was shot with so many bullets… Operation Sindoor seems to be a waste now,” news agency ANI quoted Sawan Parmar as saying.

Parmar’s mother, Kiran Yatish Parmar, questioned the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for holding ties with Pakistan in sports. “This match should not happen. I want to ask Prime Minister Modi, Operation Sindoor has not concluded, so why is this India vs Pakistan match happening?… I want to tell everyone in the country to go and visit those families who have lost their loved ones in the Pahalgam terror attack and see how sad they are. Our wounds have not healed,” she said.

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The India-Pakistan match scheduled for September 14 is unlikely to be the only India-Pakistan face-off in the 2025 Asia Cup. If both teams go through the group stage, they will meet again in the Super-Four stage, and if they secure top-two finishes there, a third high-stakes clash could unfold in the final.