NEW DELHI– The Indian cricketing community came together in a show of solidarity and patriotism following the launch of Operation Sindoor, a series of precision military strikes targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The strikes, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, were a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Former Indian cricketers Gautam Gambhir, Aakash Chopra, and Pragyan Ojha led the tributes on social media, each posting messages saluting the armed forces, accompanied by the patriotic phrase “Jai Hind.” Their sentiments were echoed by current players as well, including Kolkata Knight Riders’ spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who shared an official image from the operation on his Instagram story.
The cricket fraternity’s unified response reflects a broader wave of national pride sweeping across the country, as hashtags like #OperationSindoor, #JaiHind, and #IndianArmy surged on social media platforms.
Defense officials confirmed that the operation targeted nine high-value terror facilities linked to internationally proscribed groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Executed with precision, the strikes deliberately avoided civilian areas and Pakistani military installations, reinforcing India’s stated commitment to a measured but resolute counter-terrorism strategy.
The strikes began around 1:44 a.m. and reportedly caught Pakistani forces off guard. Notably, Indian Air Force jets struck all targets without crossing into Pakistani airspace, highlighting both operational sophistication and strategic restraint.
A statement from the Ministry of Defense emphasized that no Pakistani military assets were targeted, underscoring India’s intention to avoid escalation while holding terror actors accountable.
Operation Sindoor was launched exactly two weeks after the deadly attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam—a popular tourist destination—where gunmen believed to be linked to Pakistan-based terror outfits opened fire, killing 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national.
As the nation honors its armed forces, the cricket world’s public support has added to the national sentiment, blending sport and service in a moment of shared purpose. (Source: IANS)
