On January 8, Pakistani regular soldiers had crossed into Indian territory in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir and ambushed an Indian patrol killing two soldiers, one of whom was decapitated.

"Hockey India which is organising the League and invited Pak players have not reacted to this barbaric and heinous act against Indian soldiers and have gone ahead in welcoming Pakistan players to play in the proposed League organised by them. The Hockey India should immediately restrict Pakistan players to play in the proposed league in protest to brutalities committee by the Pak terrorists," said KPS Gill, Patron and Chief Advisor of IHF, in a statement.