Shahid Afridi's Remark on Kashmir Condemned by Virat Kohli, Kapil Dev and Suresh Raina

New Delhi, April 4: Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi's recent remark alleging excesses committed by the Indian forces in Kashmir has been condemned by Team India captain Virat Kohli, his colleague Suresh Raina and ex-skipper Kapil Dev.

Kohli, on being asked about his reaction to Afridi's controversial tweet, said he would "never support" any comment which antagonises the nation.

"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," Kohli said.

"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 was further quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Raina was more scathing in his tweet, rebutting Afridi's "Indian-Occupied Kashmir" remark. The southpaw said Kashmir is "an integral part of India" where his ancestors had taken birth.

Kashmir is an integral part of India and will remain so always. Kashmir is the pious land where my forefathers were born. I hope @SAfridiOfficial bhai asks Pakistan Army to stop terrorism and proxy war in our Kashmir. We want peace, not bloodshed and violence. 🙏

— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) April 4, 2018

Meanwhile, cricketing legend Kapil Dev accused the media of giving undue importance to Afridi. "Who is he? Why are we giving importance to him? We should not be giving importance to certain people," he was reported as saying.

Afridi's controversial statement came on Tuesday, where he equated the militants killed in the Valley last week to "innocent" civilians.

The former Pakistani skipper appealed the global watchdog bodies to intervene and "stop the bloodshed" in Kashmir.

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

Cricketer Gautam Gambhir, known for his staunch nationalistic views, issued a sharp rebuttal on Twitter. Taking a jibe at Afridi, Gambhir said he is "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

Apart from Afridi, members of Pakistan's political establishment also condemned India after 13 local militants were killed in the encounter in Shopian on Sunday. Pakistan's prime opposition leader Imran Khan said the country stands "in solidarity with the Kashmiris" in the wake of killings.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 04, 2018 07:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).