The sporting fraternity of India has oscillated between sorrow and rage as it joined the nation to condemn the fatal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, with some demanding that the country cuts all sporting links with Pakistan. Tuesday, the terrorists opened fire in a leading place for tourists in the Pahalgam of South Kashmir, killing at least 26 civilians and injuring several others. The resistance front (TRF), a shadow group of the terrorist group of Lashkar-E-Taiba (Let) based in prohibited Pakistan, claimed the responsibility of the attack.
“And this is exactly the reason why I say – you don’t play cricket with Pakistan. Not now. Never ever. When BCCI or the government has refused to send India to the Champions Trophy to Pakistan, some had the audacity to say:` `Oh, but sport should go beyond politics”, the former cricket player of India Shreevats Goswami said in a post.
“… The murder of innocent Indians seems to be the national sport of Pakistan and India should respond with zero tolerance and not with bats and bullets,” he added.
ENOUGH!!!! pic.twitter.com/1ff6xuhgng
– Goswami shreevats (@ shreevats1) April 22, 2025
While India has not played bilateral cricket with Pakistan since 2012-2013, and the BCCI refused to send its team for the Champions Trophy earlier this year, other Indian teams continued to go to Pakistan for international events.
Goswami, who had recently visited Pahalgam, said that he had felt hope and peace of return in the valley.
“And now … This blood sheet again. It breaks something in you. It makes you ask you how many times we have to stay silent, stay” athletic “while our people die. No more. This time,” he added.
An “indignant” Olympic bronze medal boxer and BJP member, Vijender Singh, also called for a firm “action”.
“Our brave soldiers will certainly give an adapted response to this loose attack in the coming times. In the presence of the brave sons of Mother India, the plans of those who want to disturb peace in Jammu-et-Cachemire will never succeed,” he said.
The head coach of the Indian Cricket team and deputy for the BJP, Gautam Gambhir, wrote: “Praying for the families of the deceased. Heads will pay. India will strike.” The awarded badminton player with a double Olympic medal, the badminton player, the PV Sindhu, also wrote an emotional position.
“My heart hurts for the victims of Pahalgam’s terrorist attack. So much pain. So much loss. No reason, no cause can ever justify such brutality.
“To families left behind-your sorrow is beyond words, but you are not alone. We are with you. In these dark moments, we can find force in each other, and never abandon the hope that peace will come back!” Sindhu wrote.
The duo Olympic gold medalist of the Javelin launcher Neeraj Chopra and Abhinav Bindra prayed for the victims.
“The heart broken by the tragic attack in Jammu-et-Cachemire. Prayers for the victims and their families,” wrote Chopra.
“The heart broken by the horrible terrorist attack in Pahalgam. My thoughts go to the victims and their families. Terror has no place in our world, we must unite against hatred and violence,” added Bindra.
The attack is the most deadly terrorist act in the valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike.
“Strongly condemn this act cowardly by terrorists sponsored by Pakistan. India is united to our courageous army, the J&K police and the paramilitary forces in the fight against terrorism.
“My heart goes to family members of all those who have lost their lives in vile attack. This cannot be forgiven,” wrote former Spinner India Harbhajan Singh.
The former goalkeeper of hockey awarded by the Olympic medal, Pr Sreejesh, the Saina Nehwal shuttle and the double world boxer Nikhat Zareen also called for justice.
“The conviction is not enough, justice must follow. Our hearts bleed for Pahalgam. Terror must never win. Prayers for all the touches affected in the attack by Pahalgam,” wrote Sreejesh.
“Pahalgam’s terrorist attack is a reminder tearing threats to which we continue to face. For those who spread fear – know that India is united and that justice will prevail. I Hind,” said Saina.
Zareen added: “Those who attack innocent attacks humanity itself. Condantectly, the terrorist attack is cowardly in Pahalgame. Justice must be fast.” Former goalkeeper India Parthiv Patel said he had been numb by the terrible act.
“Shocked and angry to hear what happened in cashmere. Although the officials are punished, there is currently an incredulity numbed with terrible acts and the way it happens,” wrote Parthiv.
Shubman’s Indian striker duo Gill and Kl Rahul and former spinner and captain of Anil Kuble also offered their condolences.
“Violence like this has no place in our country,” said Gill.
Kuble added: “Innocent lives have lost against insane violence. Praying for strength and peace for affected families. Take up together against hatred.” The former coach of India, Ravi Shastri, wrote “a horrible and loose act that should fully unite the nation, a none bar” cricket that has become a politician Yusuf Pathan and his brother Irfan Pathan also expressed a deep anxiety.
“Whenever an innocent life is lost, humanity loses,” wrote Irfan.
“Such acts of violence do not have their place in our society. That peace prevails,” added Yusuf, who is the deputy for Lok Sabha of the Baharampur Trinamool Congress, Western Bengal.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been published by NDTV staff and is published from a unionized flow.)
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