India Says No More Pakistani ‘Shooters’: Marksmen Hoping To Attend Rifle Tourney In New Delhi Denied Visas

Pakistan would not participate in the shooting World Cup in New Delhi as its marksmen were not issued visas by the Indian High Commission, a top official of Pakistani shooting federation has claimed, reports Indian Express.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pulwama that killed 40 soldiers, there were doubt on Pakistan’s shooters participation in the season-opening Internation Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World cup in New Delhi.

“We were supposed to fly out by Wednesday (20 February) morning as the championship begins from Thursday (21 February) but we were not issued visas today so the visit is as good as off,” Pakistan’s National Rifle Shooting Federation (NSRF) President Razi Ahmed told PTI, as reported by Indian Express.

“I was a bit worried about getting the visas after the Pulwama incident and our fears have come true. It is disappointing that our shooters will not get a chance to try to qualify for the Olympic Games,” Razi said.

He said that Pakistan had applied for visas for two shooters - GM Bashir and Khalil Ahmed - as well as a team manager.

However, National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) on Monday (18 February) said that it had received confirmation from the Indian High Commission that Visas were granted to the two Pakistani marksmen and one manager.