Gurdaspur attack: Cricket and terror can't go hand in hand, says BCCI

The attack on a police station in Punjab on Monday by terrorists believed to be from across the border has thrown a big question mark over the India-Pakistan cricket series planned to be played in December this year.

The attack on a police station in Punjab on Monday by terrorists believed to be from across the border has thrown a big question mark over the India-Pakistan cricket series planned to be played in December this year.

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"Cricket and terror cannot go hand in hand. For me, the safety and security of my country comes before a cricket series," BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur told NDTV.

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He said Pakistan cannot expect cricket to bring peace when cross-border terror continued unabated.

The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play Pakistan for two Tests and five ODIs at a neutral venue, possibly UAE, but the terror attack could prompt a rethink by the Centre.

"Internal security of the country can't be compromised...We need to solve certain issues before we step on to the cricket field, " Thakur said.

India and Pakistan last played a bilateral series in 2007, when Pakistan toured for a three-Test series. Since then both countries have played against each other only in ICC ODI and T20 tournaments.

The three terrorists who attacked a police station in the border town of Gurdaspur shot dead seven people, including four police personnel, before they were gunned down.

Political leaders, cutting across political lines, hit out at Pakistan after it emerged that the terrorists may have come from the neighbouring country.

"We want peace with Pakistan, but not at the cost of national honour...We will not be the first to attack or fire, but if challenged, will give a befitting reply," home minister Rajnath Singh said.

Jitendra Singh, a junior minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office, said he did not rule out Pakistan's involvement. "There have also been earlier reports of Pakistan infiltration and cross-border mischief in this area," said Singh, whose constituency in the Jammu region borders Gurdaspur.