'We're forever indebted to our heroes': Virat Kohli applauds India's armed forces

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has expressed deep admiration and gratitude for the country's armed forces, calling them “our heroes” in a heartfelt message shared on Instagram. In the wake of recent military operations, Kohli’s tribute stands as a strong message of support and national pride.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. “We stand in solidarity with, and salute our armed forces for fiercely protecting our country in these difficult times,” Kohli wrote on Friday. “We are forever indebted to our heroes for their unwavering bravery and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for our great nation. JAI HIND.” This statement comes amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, most of them tourists. In response, Indian forces launched a series of precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These included strategic targets linked to terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Fellow cricketer Rohit Sharma also voiced his support for the military. In a recent post, he praised the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy for their courage and dedication, while urging citizens to be responsible and avoid spreading misinformation. "With every passing moment, with every decision taken I feel extremely proud of our Indian Army, Indian Airforce & Indian Navy. Our warriors are standing tall for our nation’s pride. It’s important for every Indian to be responsible and refrain from spreading or believing any fake news. Stay safe, everyone! #OperationSindoor #JaiHind," he wrote. Security concerns have also impacted the cricketing calendar, with IPL now suspended indefinitely after an IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala was cancelled after air raid alerts were issued in nearby regions.