Former India cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar on Thursday condoled the families of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, while questioning the intentions behind such violent acts.
Speaking in his remarks, he was addressing the perpetrators and their sympathizers, inquiring what they were trying to gain through such attacks.
The devastating attack, which occurred on Tuesday, left 26 people dead, the majority of whom were tourists. This is the deadliest attack in Kashmir Valley since the 2019 Pulwama attack.
The attack has been claimed by the Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of the outlawed Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
"I offer my deepest sympathies to the families who have lost their loved ones. This tragedy has touched all of us in India…" Gavaskar told Star Sports, moments before the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
He went on, addressing the attackers and their sponsors: "I just want to ask – what has all this fighting achieved? For the last 78 years, not an inch of land has been exchanged, right? So, in the next 78,000 years, nothing is going to happen. Why not opt for peace instead and strive to make our country strong? That's my appeal."
On Wednesday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) spoke out against the "ghastly and cowardly" attack in an official release.
As a mark of respect, Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad players sported black armbands during their IPL match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The players held a minute's silence in respect for the victims before the game started.
After the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, India suspended bilateral cricket relations with Pakistan and recently refused to tour the neighboring nation for the Champions Trophy. This move prompted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to think of a neutral location, with Dubai being selected to host India's matches.
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