‘My father's soul is at rest': Families of 2 Pune friends killed in Pahalgam terror attack after Operation Sindoor
The families of Pune residents Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale, who were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, said Wednesday they have received some closure as they extended their support to Operation Sindoor.
Officials said under Operation Sindoor, which took place between 1.05 am and 1.30 am, India targeted nine sites, hitting the terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). 'Operation Sindoor 'was launched by the Indian armed forces to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families. Nine terrorist camps were targeted and successfully destroyed,' said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who briefed the media.
Kaustubh Ganbote, 58, and Santosh Jagdale, 50, were among the 26 people shot dead in Pahalgam.
'We were expecting that the government would do something, and today, India has given the appropriate answer to Pakistan. The name of the operation, Sindoor, shows the respect that the government has for women,' says Kunal Ganbote, the son of Kaustubh.
Pragati Jagdale, the wife of Santosh, said she had tears in her eyes when she heard the name of the operation. 'Operation Sindoor is a strong response after terrorists wiped out the sindoor of our daughters. I sincerely thank the government,' she said.
Close childhood friends, Kaustubh and Santosh, went to Jammu and Kashmir for a holiday together for the first time. At the snacks shop in Rasta Peth owned by Kaustubh, the friends made a plan to go on a family vacation to Kashmir.
The day that they arrived in Pahalgam, Kaustubh and Santosh became the targets of terror, and were shot dead as their families watched.
'On this day, due to Operation Sindoor, the soul of my father is at rest,' says Kunal.
Kunal said both families agreed that simply killing the four terrorists, who had carried out the terror attack in Pahalgam, wouldn't have been the answer.
'More such terrorists would pop up all over the country in the coming years. It was necessary to take their handlers and the sites where they are trained before being sent to India to spread terrorism. The government has done what was necessary, and we are thankful for this,' he added.
At home, his mother is still recovering from Kaustubh's death, and she 'sleeps with the lights switched on'. 'Operation Sindoor has brought some peace to her,' said Kunal.
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