Cricketers Honor Indian Army Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan

Cricketers Show Support for Armed Forces
On May 9, in New Delhi, prominent Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, expressed their admiration for the Indian Army's efforts in safeguarding the nation during challenging times. This response follows the destruction of terrorist camps at nine sites in Pakistan as part of Operation Sindoor.
Virat Kohli took to Instagram to convey his message: "We stand united with our armed forces, honoring their fierce commitment to our country during these trying times. Our gratitude is endless for the bravery and sacrifices made by them and their families for our beloved nation."
Jasprit Bumrah also shared his thoughts on X, stating, "We are thankful to our armed forces for their valor and courage. We salute them and will always be indebted for their dedication to our safety."
Suryakumar Yadav echoed similar sentiments on his X account, expressing pride in the resilience of the forces: "You are the reason we feel secure at home. A big salute to your strength and commitment to protecting our borders. Thank you. Jai Hind!"
Indian Army's Response to Threats
This show of support comes as tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following the successful operation against terrorist camps. The Indian Army has also effectively countered multiple drone attacks from Pakistan along the western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir during the night of May 8-9.
The Indian Army reported, "The Pakistan Armed Forces initiated several drone and munitions attacks along the Western Border on the night of May 8-9, 2025. They also engaged in numerous ceasefire violations along the LoC. Our forces successfully repelled these drone attacks and responded decisively to the ceasefire violations. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protect the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and we will respond forcefully to any malicious actions."
Defence officials noted that the indigenously developed Akash surface-to-air missile system played a vital role in neutralizing the Pakistani drone threats targeting Indian assets, with both the Indian Army and Air Force deploying this missile system along the border.