By Ravinder Singh Robin

Attari-Wagah (Amritsar), Jul 29 (IANS): Protesting over the Chess Olympiad Torch passing through Kashmir, the 13-member Pakistan team, including two officials, crossed the international border via the Integrated Check Post (ICP) here and returned home on Friday.

The Pak chess team had arrived in India to participate in the 44th Chess Olympiad being held in Chennai from July 29 to August 10.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had accused India of mixing politics with sports. As a mark of protest, the Pakistan government announced the pull-out of its contingent.

The contingent had also refused to take part in the opening ceremony on July 28, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

With withdrawal of Pakistan, the total number of confirmed entries for the Chess Olympiad has gone down to 187 in the Open category and 161 in the women's section.

India was allowed to field a third team to make the entries into even. Normally, a Chess Olympiad host nation can field two teams in both the sections.

The FIDE had earlier banned Russia and Belarus from participating in the event following Russia's military action in Ukraine. China is also not participating in the event.