Comments come days after an attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir

ITV said they were 'deeply shocked' by the 'racially offensive comments'

Coronation Street viewers are calling for police to investigate Pakistan-born soap actor Marc Anwar after he was fired from the show for a racist rant on social media.

Mr Anwar, 45, who plays the role of Sharif Nazir in Corrie, referred to Indians as b******s' and 'p***-drinking c***s' on Twitter.

On his account - which ironically says 'it's not what you say, but what you do' - he also wrote: 'Why the f*** do Pakistani artists want to work in f***face India? Do you love money so much?'

It has prompted a furious backlash on social media, with many describing themselves as 'disgusted' and others calling for Mr Anwar to be reported for a hate crime.

His comments come days after an attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir killed 18 soldiers. India claimed Pakistan was behind the attack, something it has denied.

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Marc Anwar, 45, who plays the role of Sharif Nazir in Corrie, referred to Indians as b******s' and 'p***-drinking c***s' on Twitter

Mr Anwar, from Rochdale, joined Coronation Street in 2014 to play the role of Kal's [Jimi Mistry] father in what was the first Muslim family on the show

Twitter users hit out at Mr Anwar, who has previously campaigned against hate crime with the British Transport Police.

Posting a picture of Mr Anwar at an anti-hate crime event, Vijay Patel wrote: 'I want to report a hate crime do I talk to this guy..? #CoronationStreet #hatecrime #MarcAnwar'

Twitter user Konigstiger1 added: 'I demand a Police investigation...'

The Sunday Mirror alerted ITV bosses to the Twitter rant and the actor was reportedly sacked within hours.

ITV said in a statement: 'We are deeply shocked by the entirely unacceptable, racially offensive comments made on Twitter by Marc Anwar.

'We have talked to Marc and, as a consequence of his comments, he will not be returning to Coronation Street with immediate effect.'

Mr Anwar, from Rochdale, joined Coronation Street in 2014 to play the role of Kal's [Jimi Mistry] father in what was the first Muslim family on the show.

In the soap he is a businessman and had recently been at the centre of a storyline surrounding a seven year long affair and new blackmail plot.

One Twitter user said he wanted to report Mr Anwar for committing a hate crime while posting a picture of the actor at an anti-hate crime event for British Transport Police, pictured

Several people on social media demanded Greater Manchester Police act on the Tweets

In the soap he is a businessman and had recently been at the centre of a storyline surrounding a seven year long affair and new blackmail plot, but he will now be cut out of the soap

Mr Anwar also attacked Indian PM Narendra Modi and Pakistan leader Nawaz Sharif in an offensive tweet.

He wrote: 'F***ing Indians killing our #Kashmir brothers and sisters, beygairth Nawaz Sharif still sucking Modi. Lul!'

Last night the actor - whose Twitter account is now locked to private - reportedly deleted two of his most offensive messages.

Just two months ago he was pictured with police endorsing their campaign against hate crime.

The 45-year-old, who appeared in the 51st State starring Samuel L Jackson, is the first Corrie star to be sacked since Chris Fountain in 2013.

He was fired after being filmed wearing a Halloween mask and delivering a number of obscene and expletive-filled rhymes, which included boasts of violence and rape.

Campaigners welcomed ITV's decision to sack him last night.

Just two months ago he was pictured with police endorsing their campaign against hate crime

Fiyaz Mughal, director of the charity Faith Matters, said: 'It's unacceptable for anyone today to put material online that targets a segment of a population. You can't just blame a whole group of people for a conflict.

'Marc needs to reflect, and in a way retract what he said, and understand you can't go online and add fuel to the fire.

Baroness Hussein-Ece, a Liberal Democrat and anti-racism campaigner, said: 'He is a public figure and he's gone about this in the wrong way.'

The actor's comments come amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

It follows 10 weeks of protests in Kashmir, in which almost 90 people have died, the vast majority of whom were civilians.

Pakistan's PM claimed India was carrying out an unprecedented arms build-up in the region, while India described Pakistan as a terrorist state.

This has raised fears of a military confrontation between the two countries.