As tensions rise between India and Pakistan, Indian Church calls for de-escalation in ‘memory of Pope Francis’
The Indian military claims that Operation Sindoor against Pakistan was “focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.” Pakistan’s response killed students at a Catholic school. Sadly, “two students lost their lives, and their parents were severely injured,” lamented Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu (India). For his part, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore (India), called on the faithful to “pray specially for the leaders of our country to pursue attempts for peace”.
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – The Indian Air Force carried out air strikes, named "Operation Sindoor", at 1:44 am Wednesday, against "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, the Indian government announced.
According to the Indian military, the action was a direct response to the 22 April attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed, mostly Indian tourists.
Military sources in India said that the missiles were launched with "stand-off weapons" (which allow attackers to evade the effect of the weapon or defensive fire) and that "no units crossed the Line of Control" (LoC), the demarcation border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir.
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted,” the country’s Ministry of Defence said, adding that that India had shown “considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution”.
The Indian press reported that the affected bases were allegedly used by terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen to plan and coordinate attacks against India. For New Delhi, these groups operate with the support of Pakistani intelligence services, a claim Islamabad has denied.
Some of the relatives of the victims of Pahalgam welcomed the Indian air force operation.
“Through Operation Sindoor, a tribute has been paid to those who were killed in the Pahalgam attack,” said Pragati Jagdale, who lost her husband, Santosh, in the terror attack.
“I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for carrying out Operation Sindoor. I am thankful that our emotions have been understood. Our Sindoor was wiped out by terrorists but today I am very happy that under Operation Sindoor, our armed forces destroyed terrorists’ bases in Pakistan,” she added.
"Sindoor" is the cosmetic powder, made with reddish pigments, that married women in India wear in the parting of their hair. The operation was named after it because many men were killed in the Pahalgam attack in front of their wives.
Kunal Ganbote, son of Kaustabh Ganbote, another victim of the 22 April attack, also publicly thanked the Indian Armed Forces and the government for "conducting the mission" and "giving voice to the pain of the affected families".
Following the missile strikes, the Pakistani military said it had shot down Indian aircraft, while tensions flared up again along the Line of Control in Kashmir.
Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu spoke to AsiaNews following today’s events.
“Between 6.30 and 7 am a shell from Pakistan landed just behind our diocesan-run school in Poonch, hitting the home of one of our students; two students lost their lives, and their parents were severely injured. Schools are closed for holidays,” he said.
“A shell struck the campus of the Congregation of Mother Carmel Convent, damaging water tanks and destroying solar panel infrastructure. Our priests and sisters, along with local residents, have taken shelter in the underground hall. We are praying for cessation [of the violence]; we are praying for peace.”
Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore also spoke about the issue.
“On this day, 7th May, when the Cardinals of the Catholic Church are entering into the Conclave to elect a new Pope and especially as we remember the late Pope Francis, a man known for his attempts to make peace and reconciliation among the nations, in our own country, we read the press release from the Ministry of Defence saying that they undertook Operation Sindhoor, targeting the terrorist infrastructure in the neighbouring country,” he said.
The situation, the prelate warns, “may escalate into more strife and even a warlike situation. While we pray for the lives of the soldiers and the civilians in both countries, any escalation is always a cause of great concern. War is never a good nor a satisfactory solution. In memory of Pope Francis, we appeal to and pray specially for the leaders of our country to pursue attempts for peace, beginning with meaningful dialogue and reconciliation efforts.”
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04/03/2019 19:01
