Shahid Afridi looks down on Indian Army after Pahalgam Terror Attack, calls them 'inefficient and useless'

The terror strike at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday has sent shockwaves across the Kashmir Valley and beyond. In one of the deadliest attacks since Pulwama in 2019, terrorists unleashed gunfire on civilians, claiming the lives of at least 26 people and injuring many more.

Responsibility for the heinous assault was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), drawing widespread condemnation from global quarters.

Amid the mourning and anger, former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi chose to turn the spotlight onto the Indian Army. Speaking to Pakistan's Samaa TV, Afridi launched a scathing tirade, holding India's security forces responsible for the tragedy.

"Tum logon ki 8 lakh hi fauj hai Kashmir mein aur yeh ho gaya. Iska matlab nalayak ho, nikamme ho na tum log security de nahi sake logon ko," he said, ridiculing the Indian Army's strength and efficiency. According to Afridi, the presence of a massive security apparatus failed to prevent the bloodshed, reflecting, in his view, deep-rooted incompetence.

Afridi didn't stop at criticising the army. In a direct attack on India's media landscape, he questioned the coverage of the massacre. "Hairat hoti hai ki hamle ke ek ghante ke baad hi unka media Bollywood ban gaya. Khuda ke liye har kuch ko Bollywood mat banao," he remarked, mocking the perceived sensationalism. Afridi claimed he was left both astonished and entertained by how quickly television channels allegedly turned a national tragedy into what he termed "drama."

The former all-rounder's criticism extended further, taking veiled shots at prominent Indian cricketers without naming them. "Do cricketers jo India se itni cricket khele hue hain. Ambassadors reh chuke hain, top cricketers reh chuke hain unki taraf se direct Pakistan," he said, suggesting that past players who had once represented India at the highest level had irresponsibly pointed fingers at Pakistan following the attack.

Afridi's comments have stirred outrage across India, especially given the gravity of the attack and the timing of his remarks. Critics argue that instead of addressing the larger issue of terrorism emanating from Pakistani soil, Afridi sought to deflect blame by insulting the Indian military and belittling media responses.

His controversial statement, "Patakha phat jaata hai wahaan par, Pakistan ne kiya," further angered many, as he trivialised a brutal terror attack that devastated dozens of families.

In a moment when solidarity and empathy could have bridged divides, Afridi's comments have only deepened the bitterness. Many observers note that his decision to mock rather than mourn speaks volumes about the growing political and ideological divides between the two nations, especially when acts of terror are involved.

As the investigation continues and the world grieves with the victims, Afridi's statements stand as a sharp reminder of how, even in moments of tragedy, political posturing often takes centre stage over compassion and responsibility.