The Indian cricket and sporting community spewed rage and anger at the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir on Tuesday with some of them even demanding that India should immediately cut off all sporting ties with neighbours Pakistan. On Tuesday afternoon, terrorists opened fire at a tourist location in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing at least 26 civilians and injuring several others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli expressed shock as they mourned the loss of lives.
“The affected families must be going through an unimaginable ordeal – India and the world stand united with them at this dark hour, as we mourn the loss of lives and pray for justice,” Tendulkar wrote on X.
“Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Praying for peace and strength to families all those who lost their lives and justice to be served for their cruel act,” Kohli posted on his Instagram.
Virat Kohli’s Instagram post on Pahalgam attack. (Source: Instagram)
Similar sentiments were expressed by other top players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav. Pacer Mohammed Siraj posted an emotional message in which he called for justice.
“To target and kill innocent civilians in the name of religion is pure evil…No cause, no belief, no ideology can ever justify such a monstrous act.Yeh kaisi ladai hai…jahaan insaan ki jaan ki koi keemat hi nahi (what sort of a fight is this in which there is no value for human life),” Siraj asked.
“I hope this madness ends soon and these terrorists are found and punished, without mercy,” he added.
Former India cricketer Shreevats Goswami has demanded an end to all sporting ties with Pakistan. “And this is exactly why I say – you don’t play cricket with Pakistan. Not now. Not ever. When BCCI or the government refused to send India to the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, some had the audacity to say, ‘Oh, but sport should rise above politics’,” Goswami wrote.
“…murdering innocent Indians seems to be Pakistan’s national sport and India should respond with zero tolerance and not with bats and balls,” he added.
Goswami, who had recently visited Pahalgam, said he had sensed hope and peace returning to the valley.
“And now… this bloodshed again. It breaks something inside you. It makes you question how many more times we’re expected to stay silent, stay ‘sporting’, while our people die. No more. Not this time,” he added.
Olympics bronze medal-winning boxer and ruling BJP member Vijender Singh also called for firm ‘action’. “Our brave soldiers will definitely give a befitting reply to this cowardly attack in the coming times. In the presence of the brave sons of Mother India, the plans of those who want to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir will never succeed,” he asserted.
Team India head coach and BJP MP Gautam Gambhir wrote: “Praying for the families of the deceased. Those responsible for this will pay. India will strike.”
Two-time Olympic medal-winning badminton player PV Sindhu too penned down an emotional post. “My heart aches for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. So much pain. So much loss. No reason, no cause can ever justify such brutality.
“To the families left behind — your grief is beyond words, but you are not alone.We are with you. In these dark moments, may we find strength in each other, and never let go of the hope that peace will return!” Sindhu wrote on X.
Olympic gold medallist duo of javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and Abhinav Bindra prayed for the victims. “Heartbroken by the tragic attack in Jammu & Kashmir. Prayers for the victims and their families,” Neeraj Chopra wrote.
Former India wicketkeeper and Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel said he was left numb by the terrible act.
“Shocked and angry to hear what happened in Kashmir. While those responsible will be punished, right now there’s a numb disbelief at the terrible acts and the manner in which it all happened,” Parthiv wrote.
Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya also expressed his thoughts on this horrific incident. He also took to his official Instagram and said, “Devastated by the news from Pahalgam. My thoughts are with those affected and their families,” Hardik Pandya wrote on his Instagram story.
