Suresh Raina confirms attack on his family in Punjab, demands thorough probe

NEW DELHI: Three days after pulling out of Indian Premier League citing personal reasons, former India cricketer Suresh Raina took to social media on Tuesday to reveal details of the 'horrible event' that took place in Punjab.

In a two-part post, the 33-year-old cricketer said that his aunt's family in Punjab was attacked in which his uncle, cousin passed away.

In his first statement since landing in the country, Raina, however, did not say that the attack, allegedly a case of robbery, was the reason why he came back. His relatives were attacked on the night intervening August 19 and 20 in Thariyal village in Pathankot district. His uncle, Ashok Kumar, 58, and cousin, Kaushal Kumar, 32, died a few days later after battling for life for days.



Raina informed that his aunt and younger cousin suffered sever injuries. He further demanded a thorough probe into the violent attack on his family.

Raina's cousin succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Pathankot on Monday, days after his family was attacked by robbers, police said. His uncle suffered head injuries in the attack and died on the same night, according to police.

Four other members of the family were also injured in the attack, the police had said.

Kumar, the elder son of Ashok, died on Monday night at a private hospital, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Pathankot, Gulneet Singh Khurana said on Tuesday.

Police said Ashok's wife Asha Devi is still critical, while his second son, Apin, 28, is out of danger. "The second son has undergone surgery for an injury to his jaw," Khurana said.

Ashok's mother Satya Devi, 80, has already been discharged from hospital.

The Chennai Super Kings CEO KS Viswanathan released a statement Saturday stating that Raina returned to the country last week from the UAE for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the IPL season, which will begin on September 19.

"Chennai Super Kings offers complete support to Suresh and his family during this time," the release said.


Raina retired from international cricket on August 15, alongside former India captain and close friend Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

His departure from the IPL triggered intense speculation on the possible reasons behind it.

Franchise owner and former BCCI President N Srinivasan, who seemed to be upset with the batsman in his early statements, later said that the team will stand by the all-rounder.

Raina played 18 Tests, 226 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals for India.

(With inputs from PTI)