Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has lauded the Indian Armed Forces for their decisive response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, praising the success of "Operation Sindoor". Shami joined a chorus of voices, including other prominent cricketers, in expressing solidarity with the armed forces following the operation.
"The Indian Armed Forces turned adversity into a powerful Fateh moment. Their courage and valor in the face of danger have made us all proud," Shami posted on social media platform X.
"Operation Sindoor" was launched in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. The operation, executed on May 7, 2025, involved precision strikes by the Indian Air Force on nine terror launchpads across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. These strikes targeted facilities belonging to banned groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The Indian military operation was described as "focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature" by the Defence Ministry. The strikes were conducted without breaching Pakistani airspace, and avoided targeting Pakistani military infrastructure.
The operation has received widespread support from various sections of Indian society. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the courage and skill of the soldiers involved, calling it a proud moment for the nation. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also praised the Indian Army for the targeted action.
Other cricketers, including Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Aakash Chopra, Suresh Raina, and Jhulan Goswami, also voiced their support for the military action, emphasizing its strategic precision and India's commitment to counter-terrorism. Mohammed Siraj also shared his support on social media.
The strikes were conducted with credible intelligence inputs, ensuring the targets were precise and effective. According to news agency PTI, the terror headquarters of banned Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were targeted. Some of the targeted locations included Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur and Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the operation was a response to the "barbaric" Pahalgam attack, which aimed to undermine normalcy in Kashmir. He asserted India's right to respond to deter cross-border terrorism.
"Operation Sindoor" has been described as a display of India's firm stance against terrorism, with the armed forces acting swiftly and decisively to dismantle terrorist infrastructure. The operation, which lasted approximately 25 minutes, targeted key infrastructure belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen.
