4 hours ago
Last Updated:May 08, 2025, 14:34 IST
Daniel Pearl was working for The Wall Street Journal when he was kidnapped and killed in Pakistan in 2002. Operation Sindoor delivered justice to his family after 23 long years
Pearl’s brutal execution in 2002 shocked the conscience of the world. (File)
India’s Operation Sindoor successfully neutralised nearly 100 terrorists, including high-value terrorist operatives such as the most wanted Abdul Rauf Azhar.
Azhar’s role in the IC-814 hijacking had led to release of Omar Saeed Sheikh, who later kidnapped and killed American-Jewish journalist, Daniel Pearl.
The operation hence has delivered justice also to Pearl’s family after 23 long years. Pearl was working with The Wall Street Journal when he was kidnapped and killed in Pakistan in 2002.
OPERATION SINDOOR
India did precision strikes under Operation Sindoor in Bahawalpur and Muridke, Pakistan — the terror headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), respectively.
Among those reported to be eliminated was Azhar — operational head of JeM, mastermind of the IC-814 hijacking, and a central figure in international jihadist networks. He was among those accused of the most heinous acts of global terror.
This action is not just in India’s interest , it resonates with the broader global fight against terrorism, top government sources pointed out.
By eliminating Azhar, India has not only delivered justice for countless Indian victims of terror, but also taken a step toward closure in the long, painful memory of Pearl’s killing — a case that symbolised the dangers faced by journalists, the Jewish community, and the broader democratic world.
Operation Sindoor reaffirms India’s commitment to act decisively against terrorism — wherever it may hide, and regardless of the cost — and calls upon the international community, particularly democratic nations and communities such as the American Jewish diaspora to recognise the growing threat of unrepentant terror havens, government sources said.
India’s actions are targeted, precise, and focused entirely on dismantling terror — not aimed at any nation or people, but at the individuals and organisations who perpetrate crimes against humanity, the Indian government has already pointed out.
The US has backed India’s right to self-defence in respect of Operation Sindoor.
WHAT WAS AZHAR’S ROLE?
Azhar was involved in the IC-814 hijacking, which directly facilitated the release of Omar Saeed Sheikh, a key Al-Qaeda operative who went on to kidnap and murder Pearl.
Pearl’s brutal execution in 2002 shocked the conscience of the world and remains a defining example of the global threat posed by state-protected terror networks.
Hence, India has not only achieved justice for the Pahalgam victims and of countless other terror acts in India since the IC-814 hijacking, it has also achieved justice for Daniel Pearl.
WORLD SUPPORTS INDIA’S OPERATION SINDOOR
The UK Foreign Minister said India is right to feel outrage at this terrible attack on 22 April. He called upon Pakistan to do more to tackle the terror threat within its own borders.UK MP Rishi Sunak has supported Indian attack on terrorist infrastructure and said that no nation should have to accept terrorist attacks being launched against it from another country.UK MP Priti Patel backed the attack and said that India has the right to take reasonable steps to defend itself and dismantle the vile terrorist infrastructure that threatens it.French Foreign Minister expressed understanding about India’s desire to protect itself from terrorism. In an official statement, French Foreign Office France condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April and expressed its full solidarity with India. It said France supports India in its fight against terrorist groups.Israel’s Ambassador to India said that Israel supported India’s right of self-defence and said that terrorists should know there is no place to hide from their heinous crimes against the innocent.Netherlands MP Geert Wilders has expressed his support with his tweet saying Kashmir is 100% Indian. He has also used #PakistanBehindPahalgam in his tweet.US Congressman Shri Thanedar said that terrorism cannot be tolerated and it cannot go unpunished and India has the right to defend its people and expressed firm solidarity towards India’s efforts to dismantle the extremists networks.Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that The Republic of Panama stands with India in this tragic loss and in the ongoing fight against terrorism.Sources said usually for such kind of a major operation across borders between nuclear armed nations, it is natural for countries to ask for de-escalation.
“But due to India’s improving relations with the world and increased understanding of Pakistani terrorism, important western powers and top legislators have gone to the extent of supporting Indian strikes," officials said.
Location : First Published:News india How India's Operation Sindoor Got Justice For US Journalist Daniel Pearl Along With Pahalgam Victims
