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Operation Sindoor: In a rare show of unified sentiment beyond the cricket field, Indian cricketers from past and present came together to salute the Indian Army’s bold and calculated strike across the border in what has been dubbed Operation Sindoor. The precision operation, conducted in the early hours of May 7, targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the horrific Pahalgam terror attacks that claimed the lives of 26 Indian tourists in Kashmir.
The response from the cricketing community was swift and filled with emotion. Virender Sehwag invoked verses from the Mahabharata, drawing parallels between mythological justice and the present-day operation. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, along with former and current players like Suresh Raina, Gautam Gambhir, Venkatesh Prasad, RP Singh, and Varun Chakravarthy, all took to social media to commend the armed forces. Their posts echoed nationalistic fervor, with chants of “Jai Hind” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” dominating timelines.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir, a vocal patriot, praised the Army’s swift and precise action, calling it a reminder that India will not remain silent in the face of terror. Former pacer and ex-chief selector Chetan Sharma echoed similar sentiments, asserting that India’s stance on security remains uncompromising.
The Indian Army’s assault was laser-focused and strategic, reportedly hitting major strongholds of banned terrorist organizations such as Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. Initial intelligence reports estimate 80 to 90 casualties. Pakistan’s officials, however, have offered conflicting figures, initially stating that eight individuals—three of them civilians—were killed, with injuries to over 20 others. Later admissions raised the death toll to 26.
Meanwhile, England cricketer Sam Billings, currently playing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), called for restraint and peaceful de-escalation, reflecting concern over the spiraling geopolitical tensions.
The Indian Army later released a powerful video statement on X (formerly Twitter), simply stating: “Justice is served.” This operation marks one of India’s most comprehensive and coordinated military responses in recent years, reinforcing its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
As the dust settles, the unified voice of Indian cricketers reflects a deeper sense of national solidarity—where bat and ball take a backseat to the bravery of those defending the nation.
