Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, clarified on Saturday that “Operation Sindoor,” India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, was specifically aimed at terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), not at the Pakistani populace. He commended the Indian armed forces for avoiding civilian casualties in Pakistan, noting that only terrorists and some of their family members were killed. Azad, part of an all-party delegation led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, lamented Pakistan’s retaliatory firing into Indian border areas, which intentionally targeted civilians.
Azad highlighted India’s consistent efforts to foster positive relations with Pakistan, despite repeated terrorist attacks originating from across the border following diplomatic initiatives.
Meanwhile, Baijayant Panda stated that India’s updated approach to combating terrorism would impose consequences on Pakistan. He discussed with Indian diaspora leaders how this “changed doctrine” would hold Pakistan accountable for its decades-long support of terrorism.
Panda, leading a multi-party delegation to Bahrain, lauded the Indian diaspora abroad as representing India’s 140 crore citizens and its growing “soft power.” The delegation includes BJP MPs Panda, Nishikant Dubey, Phangnon Konyak, Rekha Sharma, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and former foreign secretary Harsh Shringla. Their itinerary includes visits to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Algeria.
