Amitabh Bachchan Speaks Out on Pahalgam Attack, Praises Operation Sindoor in Emotional Post

MUMBAI — Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan ended weeks of cryptic silence on social media with a heartfelt post addressing the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The veteran actor, who had faced criticism for his blank posts on X and blog since the attack, returned with a poignant note expressing grief for the victims and admiration for the Indian armed forces.

In his post, Bachchan recounted the brutal killing of 26 civilians, including a newlywed couple, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam by terrorists posing as tourist guides. He described a harrowing incident where a husband was targeted after his religious identity was confirmed, leaving his wife widowed despite her desperate pleas. Quoting a line from his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s poem, “Hai cheeta ki raakh kar main maangti, sindoor duniya”, Bachchan highlighted the profound loss felt by the victims’ families.

The actor connected the widow’s grief to India’s military response, Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 to target nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Bachchan called the operation “brilliant,” noting its symbolic name as a pledge to restore honor to those widowed by the attack. He explained that the operation was named by two women officers a Colonel in the Army and a Wing Commander in the Air Force who also led the press conference announcing its success.

Bachchan’s post concluded with a stirring call to the Indian armed forces and citizens, invoking lines from his father’s poem Agneepath: “You shall never stop, you shall never turn back, you shall never bow down.” He saluted the army with “Jai Hind, Jai Hind ki Sena,” emphasizing resilience against terrorism.

The actor’s silence had drawn attention since April 22, when he posted only numbered tweets and blank blog entries, prompting speculation and criticism from netizens. His return to substantive posting coincided with a ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan on May 10, though reports of violations by Pakistan emerged hours later.

Bachchan’s emotional tribute resonated widely, joining other Bollywood stars like Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Rajinikanth in condemning the Pahalgam attack and supporting Operation Sindoor. His post, shared on X and his blog, underscored the enduring pain of the tragedy and the nation’s resolve to combat terrorism.