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Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Codename ‘Operation Sindoor' is a tribute to the widows of Pahalgam: Here's what they have to say about the strike
In the wee hours of Wednesday, the Indian government confirmed that retaliatory airstrikes had been carried out on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes, hitting nine targets in total, came two weeks after the devastating Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 men, most of whom were on holiday with their families. The mission was named 'Operation Sindoor' — a title both symbolic and stirring, evoking strong emotions across the country. But why 'Sindoor'? What's in a name, and what message does it convey? Codename 'Operation Sindoor' - symbolism behind the name In Hindu tradition, sindoor (vermilion) is not just a cosmetic symbol; it is a sacred mark worn by married women, symbolising their marital status and the well-being of their husbands. Naming a military operation after such a deeply personal and emotional cultural symbol carries weight. For many, it represents not only vengeance but remembrance. According to reports, 'Operation Sindoor' was deliberately named to honour the women whose husbands were killed in the Pahalgam attack, a massacre described by the Indian government as 'barbaric and targeted.' The victims, reportedly identified and separated based on their religion before being executed, left behind families reeling in trauma. In Hindu tradition, sindoor is worn by married women A tribute to the widows of Pahalgam The operation's name has struck a powerful chord with the families of those who lost their lives. In Pune, Sangita Ganbote, whose husband Kaustubh Ganbote was among the slain, voiced support for the military's response. 'The action taken by the military is good, and by naming it as Operation Sindoor, they have respected the women,' she said in an interview shared by ANI. 'I still cry some days. We were waiting for PM Modi to take such action, and he has given them a befitting reply. Terrorists should be eliminated.' Her son, Kunal Ganbote, echoed the sentiment: 'We all were waiting for such action to be taken... The name of the operation is 'Sindoor' and I think it was named this way to respect women like my mother.' Ashanya Dwivedi, wife of 30-year-old Shubham Dwivedi, also voiced her appreciation, stating: 'I want to thank PM Modi for taking revenge for my husband's death. My entire family had trust in him, and the way he replied (to Pakistan), he has kept our trust alive. This is the real tribute to my husband. Wherever my husband is, he will be at peace today.' Furthermore, in a rare show of unity, opposition parties joined government leaders in praising the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces. Social media saw a wave of support for the military, with hashtags like #OperationSindoor and #JusticeForPahalgamVictims trending across platforms. Celebrities, too, spoke up. From film stars to cricketers, many called the operation a 'strong and appropriate' response to the Pahalgam killings. Yet, amidst all the applause and patriotism, it was the quiet strength and broken voices of the widows that defined the true gravity of the operation's impact.
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Perfect tribute: Family members of Pahalgam victims on 'Operation Sindoor'
Family members of the Maharashtrians killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday welcomed 'Operation Sindoor', saying the government and the Indian armed forces have taught a lesson to the terrorists. Pune-based Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale were killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Family members of the victims hailed 'Operation Sindoor'. Kaustubh Ganbote's son, Kunal Ganbote, said, "We all were waiting for such action to be taken." "I think that the operation was named 'Sindoor' as a mark of respect for the women who lost their husbands in the dastardly attack," Kunal said. Santosh Jagdale's family members said it is a perfect tribute to the departed souls. Jagdale's wife, Pragati, said, "I am grateful to the government for naming today's air strikes 'Operation Sindoor'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi understands our feelings. The terrorists shot and killed my husband. Today, Prime Minister Modi has attacked the base of those terrorists with 'Operation Sindoor', which is very appropriate. It was necessary to teach them this lesson." "We are PM Modi's daughters, and I knew he would take action. I was sure it would take some time, but they would attack," Pragati said. Jagdale's daughter, Asawari Jagdale, said, "Today, I feel like my father has received a true tribute from the government. The 'mission' was completed in 15 days. I thank the government." In a military operation following the Pahalgam terror attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor', striking terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Ministry of Defence in its statement said, "Our action has been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution."
Hindustan Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pahalgam victim's wife, son speak out after Operation Sindoor: ‘We were waiting for PM Modi to take such action'
The wife and son of a Pahalgam victim have spoken out after India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine 'terrorist infrastructure" sites as a retaliation for the attack on civilians that claimed 26 lives. Sangita Ganbote from Pune, who lost her husband Kaustubh Ganbote in the April 22 attack, labelled the strike as a 'befitting reply', while her son shared that they were waiting for such action from the Indian government. Wife and son of Kaustubh Ganbote, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. (X/@ANI) 'Kaustubh Ganbote lost his life in the #PahalgamTerrorAttack. In Pune, his wife, Sangita Ganbote, says, "The action taken by the military is good, and by naming it as Operation Sindoor, they have respected the women. I still cry some days. We were waiting for PM Modi to take such action, and he has given them a befitting reply. Terrorists should be eliminated..." ANI wrote while sharing a video of an interview with Ganbote. In another post, ANI shared, 'In Pune, his son Kunal Ganbote says, "...We all were waiting for such action to be taken, and we have this hope from the Indian government. The name of the operation is 'sindoor' and I think it was named this way to respect women like my mother..." In the early hours of Wednesday, India carried out a targeted strike 'hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,' PIB said in a statement. A total of nine sites were targeted. The statement further clarified that 'No Pakistani military facilities' were hit, adding, 'India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.' Also Read: 'He was shot in the head': Pahalgam attack victim's cousin recalls heartbreaking phone call 'These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered. We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,' the statement continued.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Operation Sindoor is tribute to women like my mother': Son of Pune victim Kaustubh Ganbote killed in Pahalgam terror attack
NEW DELHI: Hours after India launched precision strikes targeting terrorist bases across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Kunal Ganbote , the son of Pune resident Kaustubh Ganbote who was killed in the , called the operation a justice and said it honoured victims like his mother. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking to the media, Kunal said, 'We all were waiting for such action to be taken, and we have this hope from the Indian government. The name of the operation is 'Sindoor' and I think it was named this way to respect women like my mother.' Kaustubh Ganbote, a well-known farsan businessman from Kondhwa and Rasta Peth, was one of the six tourists from Maharashtra killed in the April 22 attack, which claimed 26 lives, the deadliest since Pulwama. Operation Sindoor In the early hours of Wednesday, India carried out 'Operation Sindoor' — a tri-services operation by the Army, Navy, and Air Force — striking nine terror camps, four in Pakistan and five in PoK. The Ministry of Defence described it as a 'focused, measured and non-escalatory' response, carefully avoiding Pakistani military facilities. Top intelligence inputs guided Indian forces to strike Jaish-e-Mohammed's base in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's headquarters in Muridke, aiming to dismantle terror infrastructure allegedly responsible for the Pahalgam massacre. Among the six confirmed dead from Maharashtra were Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale (both from Pune), Dilip Desale (Panvel), and Hemant Joshi, Atul Mone, and Sanjay Lele (Kalyan-Dombivli). Several others were injured, including Subodh Patil from Panvel and members of a Nagpur-based family. Officials confirmed that at least 39 tourists from Maharashtra were in the area during the attack. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, civil aviation minister Murlidhar Mohol, and NCP MP Supriya Sule have been in contact with the victims' families. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Following the operation, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed his US counterpart Marco Rubio. The Indian embassy in Washington released a statement citing credible evidence of Pakistan-based terrorists' involvement in the April 22 attack. 'Instead of acting on terrorists, Pakistan indulged in denial and blamed India for a false flag operation,' the embassy said. 'Justice is served' A defence ministry spokesperson said that the coordinated strikes were a response to the killings in Pahalgam and aimed at destroying the leadership of JeM and LeT. 'Justice is served,' said a senior Army officer following the strikes.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- The Hindu
‘Angels sent by God': Kashmiriyat lives on as pony 'wallah', guide, locals shield guests from harm
A pony 'wallah' who laid down his life trying to save visitors to his homeland, a guide who rescued a family of 11 and countless locals are among those who added another dimension to Kashmir's hospitality when terror struck Pahalgam on a calm Tuesday afternoon. In what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019, terrorists opened fire in Baisaran, a popular tourist spot in the upper reaches of Pahalgam in Kashmir, killing 26 people, mostly holidayers from other states. As tourists and families of victims from across the country reached home from Kashmir and outrage spread, stories of locals helping those who were stuck in the terrifying ordeal flooded in. Kashmir, their stories told the world, was also about those who had saved their lives and extended a helping hand in times of their greatest crisis. Courageous attempt to protect tourists When the initial list of victims was made public, Syed Adil Hussain Shah's was the only name of a local. The story of his bravery made thousands, including Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, attend his funeral on Wednesday in Pahalgam's Hapatnard village. As the families of Kaustubh Ganbote and Santosh Jagdale, two of the victims, stood face to face with the armed terrorists, the 30-year-old pony 'wallah' confronted them asking why they were killing innocent people. In a courageous attempt to protect the tourist, the young man tried to snatch away the weapon. Shah succumbed to three bullets to the chest. Asavari Jagdale, who lost her father Santosh Jagdale and uncle Kaustubh Ganbote, recalled being helped by another pony rider as they escaped the mayhem. 'I gathered courage and managed to escape with my mother and aunt. While coming down, my mother suffered leg injuries. A pony rider offered us support and hope. He gave us a pony ride to our driver," Asavari, who had travelled from Pune, recounted. She added that her cab driver and pony ride operator were 'like angels sent from God who stood by her at the time of the attack'. 'The pony ride operator did not leave us behind; he was with us. He rescued my aunt, mother and me from the spot," she told PTI. The cab driver remained in touch even after she left Srinagar and 'offered to help in every possible way'. Kashmiri man who saved 11 lives 'He asked us to tell him any help we need, whether it was money. He is a driver who still wants to help us. He was crying on the call and also when I was leaving from Srinagar. I thanked him, I told him that because of his presence I did not feel lonely. He cried saying that he is sad for my loss. They were like angels sent by God." Nazakat Ahmed Shah, a cousin of Shah, was also at the venue of the massacre and was instrumental in saving the lives of 11 tourists, including three children. The 28-year-old had taken four couples and three children to Baisaran on the last leg of their Kashmir trip. Just before the group was about to leave the location, the sound of gunfire alerted Nazakat who fell to the ground with two of the children. "My first concern was the safety of the tourist families. I took Lucky's kid and another child and lay down on the ground. The area was fenced so it was not easy to escape. I noticed a small opening and asked the families to move out through that opening. They asked me to save the children first. I slipped through it with the two kids, and ran towards Pahalgam town," Nazakat said. After depositing the children in a safe place, he returned to the spot and escorted the others out safely. "Thanks to Allah, I took all our 11 guests safely to Pahalgam," he said. The story of Nazakat's selfless act came out when Arvind Agrawal, one of the tourists, posted pictures of him and his daughter with Shah on his social media handle. "You saved our lives by risking your own, we will never be able to repay the debt of Nazakat Bhai," he wrote. Kuldeep Sthapak, another tourist, wrote on social media: "Nazakat bhai, you not only saved my life that day, you kept humanity alive. I will never forget you for the rest of my life.' An indelible face of compassion above all else was tourist guide Sajad Ahmad Bhat. Videos of him scurrying down the mountainside with a child on his back were circulated widely and many wanted to know who this brave, helpful man was. 'Humanity above all… this is the murder of humanity,' Mr. Bhat told PTI Videos. When he reached the meadow, many were crying for help. "We carried the injured on our ponies and took them to the Pahalgam hospital. We took at least 18-20 injured on ponies. There were two-three other men who carried people on their back. I carried a child on my back, offered water, took him to the hospital," the shawl vendor and guide said. Terming the attack a blot on humanity, he said all of Kashmir is in mourning. 'They should have instead killed us, it should not have happened to them (the tourists). We want to tell all Indians that we stand with them… We are all Indians." Then there were those who were saved by cautious locals. A five-member family from Buldhana district in Maharashtra vacationing in Pahalgam was about to step out for local sightseeing on the fateful day, unaware of the terror attack, but was stopped by the owner and staff of their hotel from going out in view of the tense situation. Another couple from Maharashtra was helped by locals in quickly moving away from the site and reaching their hotel safely. Sakshi and Krishna Lolge, hailing from Nanded in Maharashtra, were at the Baisaran meadow some 15 minutes before the gunmen burst into the meadow. "We heard the sound of firing after we moved a little away from the place," Sakshi said "If there was no support from local people, who helped us to move away fast, we would have not been able to make this video. The local people helped the tourists a lot," she said in a video shot from her hotel. Her husband Krishna said their pony ride operators quickly rushed them down the hill. "Our tour coordinators were in constant touch with us. The local people took us to our hotel immediately. We came to know at the hotel that the terror attack had taken place. We saw a large number of security personnel moving towards the attack location," he added.
