Former Indian cricket star and batting legend Virender Sehwag on May 8 criticised Pakistan for “choosing war” instead of maintaining peace when it had the chance to stay silent. His comments came after Pakistan launched attacks on J&K and several military installations near the western border—attacks that were effectively intercepted by India’s air defence systems. Following Pakistan’s aggression, Indian forces responded with retaliatory strikes. Sehwag joined a number of sportspersons on social media in condemning Pakistan’s actions and expressing strong support for the Indian armed forces.
War has been chosen by Pakistan when they had an opportunity to keep quiet.
They have escalated to save it’s terrorist assets, speaks so much about them.
Our forces will reply in the most appropriate manner, a manner Pakistan will never forget.— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 8, 2025
Virender Sehwag wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “War has been chosen by Pakistan when they had an opportunity to keep quiet. They have escalated to save their terrorist assets, which speaks so much about them. Our forces will reply most appropriately, a manner Pakistan will never forget.”
Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra urged everyone to follow the government’s guidelines. He emphasised the importance of unity and discipline during challenging times. Chopra also expressed confidence in the strength of the Indian armed forces.
We are proud of our Brave Indian Armed Forces who are fighting for our nation against Terrorism.
Let’s do our part and make sure to follow guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety during this time.
जय हिन्द जय भारत जय हिन्द की सेना 🇮🇳— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 8, 2025
Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad also voiced his strong opinion on social media, labelling Pakistan as a “rogue state.” “What a complete rogue state Pakistan is. India will teach them a lesson they won’t forget,” said the former Karnataka cricketer.
Meanwhile, two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu praised the Indian armed forces for their bravery and dedication.
“To the brave men and women of the Indian Armed Forces — your courage, discipline, and sacrifice are the soul of our nation. In moments like #OperationSindoor, we’re reminded of the silent strength and selfless service that keep our tricolour flying high. India stands with you. Jai Hind,” she wrote in her post on Thursday.
The attempted strike, involving drones and missiles, led to widespread blackouts and blaring sirens across parts of J&K, Punjab, and Rajasthan. Authorities activated emergency protocols and urged residents to stay indoors and remain alert. The attacks appear to be retaliation for Operation Sindoor — a recent offensive by Indian armed forces targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, believed to be the origin of the deadly assault on tourists in Pahalgam. That attack claimed the lives of 26 tourists, including 25 Indians and one Nepali. As a safety precaution amid the unrest and power outages, the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala was called off.
