Decorated veterans of the Kargil War on Wednesday voiced strong support for ‘Operation Sindoor’—a coordinated tri-services military strike by India on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). They hailed the operation as a bold and necessary move following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
Launched in the early hours of Wednesday, the mission saw joint action from the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy. Between 1:05 a.m. and 1:30 a.m., Indian forces launched 24 missiles at nine critical terror locations. These included Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke and major sites in Bahawalpur—both known as longstanding hubs of terrorist activity.
Naik Deep Chand (Retd.), a former Artillery soldier and Kargil War veteran who lost both legs and one hand to enemy fire, praised the armed forces for executing a decisive and precise operation. Celebrated for his courage and resilience during the 1999 conflict, he used the moment to call on fellow citizens to more openly honour and support the military.
“It’s easy to criticize security forces, but remember—they are the ones who defend us. Today, those same soldiers are fighting this war. If you ever get the chance, respect the Indian Army—have the courage to salute them,” he told IANS.
He further remarked that while leaders and celebrities often receive applause, it is the armed forces who serve silently and selflessly on the front lines. “Our Army is fully dedicated to the nation’s pride and dignity. Indian soldiers have repeatedly proven their strength and resolve,” he said.
Welcoming the timing and execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’, he added, “This strike is the right answer to our enemies. And I must say, the time has come to take back PoK. Even foreign governments who previously interfered now call it an ‘internal matter’—what more validation do we need?”
Brigadier Kushal Thakur (Retd.), who commanded the 18th Grenadiers during the 1999 Kargil conflict and led troops in the fierce battles of Tololing and Tiger Hill, also applauded the operation while strongly condemning the April 22 attack in Pahalgam.
“That massacre wasn’t just an attack on innocent tourists—it was an assault on the peace and progress returning to Kashmir. It was meant to disrupt the revival of tourism and economic development,” he said.
Brigadier Thakur asserted that the motive behind the attack was to derail the narrative of normalcy in Kashmir and tarnish India’s diplomatic image globally.
He referred to recent inflammatory comments by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, who had said, “Hindus and Muslims are different, our ideologies are different, and Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein.” Thakur said the Pahalgam attack was clearly intended to support such rhetoric and mislead global opinion about Kashmir’s situation.
Citing India’s past military responses—such as the 2016 Uri surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes—Brigadier Thakur expressed confidence in India’s capability to conduct further targeted actions against terror networks.
“There are not more than 100 to 150 militants currently active in Jammu and Kashmir. They can be dealt with through precise operations. We should also keep the LoC activated and ready for targeted missions across it. At the same time, diplomatic pressure must be intensified with global allies to further isolate Pakistan,” he advised.
He concluded with a call for a tougher stance. “Now is the time to take the harshest possible measures. Enough is enough.”
