THE IPL has been suspended indefinitely amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The nuclear-armed neighbours are teetering on the brink of an all-out war as border clashes in Kashmir continue after several Indian missile strikes and drone attacks.
APThe IPL has been suspended amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan[/caption]
AFPPakistan claimed to have killed 50 Indian soldiers in the latest clashes[/caption]
Pakistan claims to have killed up to 50 Indian soldiers as they vow to get revenge for “every drop of blood” spilt in the deadly conflict.
And now, the IPL has been indefinitely suspended in support of India.
A source told IANS India: “BCCI wants to stand with the nation at this time and thus suspends IPL 2025 with immediate effect.
“It’s indefinite at the moment (on a window to resume IPL 2025 in future).
“It will only happen if there will be time later in the year. But for now nothing.”
It came after the IPL clash between the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was dramatically ABANDONED mid-match over “security fears.”
A member of staff at the stadium claimed people were shouting “bombs are coming” as floodlights were extinguished, prompting players to be hauled off the pitch.
Television coverage also went off air with former England bowler Graeme Swann part of the commentary team.
A statement from the The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) blamed a “significant technical failure”.
Pakistan’s military operations across the last two days have resulted in the deaths of between “40-50 Indian soldiers”, according to information minister Attuallah Tarar.
Fighting between the two powerful nations has intensified this week along the de facto border between Indian and Pakistani-controlled areas of the Kashmir region.
Tensions boiled over in the early hours of Wednesday morning after India launched a terrifying barrage of missile strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Islamabad accused their neighbours of deliberately targeting civilians in the attacks as they hit back with days of intense shelling.
Both sides have now accused each other of sending drones and missiles at one another.
Why are India and Pakistan enemies?
DISPUTES between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir date back decades.
The Muslim-majority territory was fought over in the aftermath of both countries’ independence following the partition of India in 1947.
War between India and Pakistan would break out again in 1965 – which ended in a ceasefire.
Kashmir’s control remains divided to this day, and tensions frequently flare up over the region.
India also fought Pakistan wars in 1971 and 1999 – with the conflict in the 70s resulting the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
And the current conflict stems from how the region was split up as the two countries were gaining independence.
Indian troops took two-thirds of Kashmir, while Pakistan seized the northern third.
Since then, the row has developed into one of the most intense geopolitical rivalries on earth.
There are about 16 million people in Kashmir, split between the Indian-controlled and Pakistani-controlled zones.
Pakistan’s armed forces also managed to take down 25 Israeli-made Harop drones sent by India yesterday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The ISPR report added that India was “panicked by the elimination of its five modern jets, several drones and soldier deaths”.
The prime minster boasted that it “took only a few hours” to bring the Indian military “to its knees”.
India hit back by claiming Pakistan also sent “drones and missiles” to a number of regions in the country.
They said they managed to “neutralise” all of the Pakistani air attacks.
They also accused Islamabad of using mortars and heavy calibre artillery in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
