India captain Virat Kohli responds to Shahid Afridi’s comments about Kashmir region
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Virat Kohli of India during the ICC Champions Trophy Final match between India and Pakistan at The Kia Oval on June 18, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
(Photo: Getty Images)
Virat Kohli has responded to Shahid Afridi’s remarks claiming the United Nations should consider intervening in the disputed region of Kashmir.
Pakistan all-rounder Afridi tweeted his concerns about counter-terrorism operations in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which saw at least three Indian soldiers and 13 suspected militants killed in a gunfight on Sunday.
Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018
That tweet drew a fiery response from India batsman Gautam Gambhir who mocked Afridi as someone ‘celebrating a dismissal off a no-ball’.
Media called me for reaction on @SAfridiOfficial tweet on OUR Kashmir & @UN. What’s there to say? Afridi is only looking for @UN which in his retarded dictionary means “UNDER NINTEEN” his age bracket. Media can relax, @SAfridiOfficial is celebrating a dismissal off a no- ball!!! — Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) April 3, 2018
Kashmir has long been a flashpoint for controversy and strained relations between the two cricketing nations since partition almost 70 years ago.
The claim for certain areas means a heavy military presence along the border remains, while separatist militias continue to stir reactions from either side.
In a defined, but more level way of condemning Afridi’s comments than Gambhir’s retort, India captain Kohli said he agreed with actions which were in the best interests of his country.
“As an Indian you want to express what is best for your nation and my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure,” ANI quoted Kohli as saying.
“But having said that, it’s a very personal choice for someone to comment about certain issues. Unless I have total knowledge of the issues and the intricacies of it I don’t engage in it but definitely your priority stays with your nation,” he added.
We respect all. And this is an example as sportsman. But when it comes to human rights we expect the same for our innocent Kashmiris. pic.twitter.com/DT5aF1wX8P
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018