'Our wounds have not healed’: Pahalgam victim family slams India vs Pakistan clash at Asia Cup

Pahalgam victim's family slams government. (AP Photo)

The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan has sparked outrage among many Indian fans. The two teams are slated to meet on Sunday in Dubai, but a large section of the public has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for choosing to participate despite the recent tragic events in Pahalgam.

Back in April, a devastating terror attack near Pahalgam claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The assault was initially claimed by The Resistance Front, believed to be linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group based in Pakistan. However, the group later issued a denial, disowning any involvement in the killings.

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In the aftermath, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, which included missile strikes on terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Pakistan retaliated with cross-border shelling and drone strikes, until both nations eventually agreed to a ceasefire on May 10.

“When we got to know the India vs Pakistan match is 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,” said the brother of one of the victims while speaking to Asian News International (ANI).

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His mother, Kiran Yatish Parmar, also expressed her anguish and questioned Narendra Modi. “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.

Despite a growing boycott movement in India opposing the fixture, the BCCI has so far not withdrawn the Indian team from the scheduled encounter.