Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi on Tuesday ranted about the Kashmir issue while shutting his eyes towards the atrocities committed by the Pakistani forces on civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. His tweet called the situation in the “Indian Occupied Kashmir” as “appalling and worrisome” in the wake of the recent terrorist clampdown by the Indian security forces.

The question which arises then is what motivated Shahid Afridi to bash India’s Army. This is to be noted that one of the Pakistani cricketer’s cousins was a terrorist and killed by the Border Security Force in Kashmir 2003. Saquib was killed in Anantnag in September 2003 and was associated with Harkat-ul-Ansar group.

Saquib hailed from Peshawar, Pakistan, and had been active in Anantnag for about two years before he was killed in an encounter. Reports at that time had suggested that Saquib used to even flaunt his relation with Afridi among the people in Anantnag.

In his tweet on Tuesday, Shahid Afridi said, "Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination and independence. Wonder where is the UN and other international bodies and why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?"

After facing flak over his tweet, Afridi again tweeted and this time said he expects human rights "for our innocent Kashmiris". The 'brute force' used by the Pakistani establishment to suppress the rebellion in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is an open secret. India has been highlighting and voicing concerns about widespread torture and dominance of the Pakistani Army in governing the area. 

After Gautam Gambhir's hard-hitting tweet, Shahid Afridi demands human rights for 'innocent Kashmiris'

Afridi's tweet came two days after three soldiers and 13 militants were among the 20 people killed in the Kashmir Valley on Sunday in fierce fighting. The victims included those who had abducted and murdered Lt Ummer Fayaz in May last year. In one of the worst rounds of armed clashes between the security forces and militants in recent years, the fighting took place in two places in Shopian district and the third spot in Anantnag district in southern Kashmir.