Pulwama terror attack: Sportspersons condemn attack, expressed condolences to victims’ families

India's sports fraternity came together to condemn the terror attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama, Kashmir and offered their condolences of the martyred jawans.

The mangled remains of the CRPF vehicle. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

Indian sportspersons came out in numbers on social media to condemn the terror attack in south Kashmir’s Pulwama that has resulted in the death of at least 40 CRPF personnel. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad has claimed responsibility for the attack while identifying the bomber as a local militant.

Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, said that “enough is enough” and that conversations have “to be in a battle ground.”

Yes, let’s talk with the separatists. Yes, let’s talk with Pakistan. But this time conversation can’t be on the table, it has to be in a battle ground. Enough is enough. 18 CRPF personnel killed in IED blast on Srinagar-Jammu highway https://t.co/aa0t0idiHY via @economictimes

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) 14 February 2019

Gambhir’s former opening partner Virender Sehwag also expressed his condolences over the death of security personnel saying “no words are enough to describe the pain”. In a tweet, he said, “Really pained by the cowardly attack on our CRPF in J&K in which our brave men have been martyred. No words are enough to describe the pain. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.”

Really pained by the cowardly attack on our CRPF in J&K in which our brave men have been martyred . No words are enough to describe the pain. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.#SudharJaaoWarnaSudhaarDenge

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 14 February 2019

Suresh Raina tweeted that he is “deeply disturbed by the news.” Many other sportspersons such as Saina Nehwal, tennis star Rohan Bopanna, wrestlers Sakshi Malik, Yogeshwat Dutt and Bajrang, boxers Vijender Singh and Manoj Kumar; wrestler Sakshi Malik; paddler Manika Batra and hockey player Rani Rampal, among others, also tweeted their tributes.

Going through a range of emotions with regard to what’s happened in Pulwama. Keeping all those aside for the moment and praying that the families of the soldiers find the courage to cope with a loss that should never have been.

— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) 15 February 2019

The Nepal and Myanmar players observe a 1⃣-minute silence in memory of the #PulwanaAttack victims, before kicking off the #HeroGoldCup Final.#NEPMYN #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/3C540Dq2ml

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) 15 February 2019

Shocked to hear the news of the #KashmirTerrorAttack .. my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the martyred CRPF jawans 🙏 😔😔

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) 14 February 2019

Really really shocked to hear about the terrorist attack in Pulwama. Expressing my great sympathy and support to everyone who has lost their loved ones in this terrible attack. #CRPF #Pulwama

— Rohan Bopanna (@rohanbopanna) 15 February 2019

Strongly condemn the terror attack in Pulwama, J&K. My prayers are with the jawans who were martyred and their grieving families.

— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) 15 February 2019

Sad. Angry. Heartbroken.
Thoughts and prayers with the families of our martyrs. #Pulawama

— Rupinder Pal Singh (@rupinderbob3) 15 February 2019

May God give peace to their souls and Deepest condolences. #Pulwama Brave lives of our forces wasted #Pulwama #CRPF #KashmirTerrorAttack #Awantipora pic.twitter.com/S4yE87pyMX

— Shiva Thapa (@shivathapa) 14 February 2019

Deeply saddened & shocked by the cowardly attack 😭🙏 RIP & strength to the family who lost their brave soldier 😔 pic.twitter.com/Zhc5t3QHNG

— Yuvraj Walmiki (@YWalmiki) 14 February 2019

?? ?? ???? ????? ???? ? ???????? #Pulwama

— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) 14 February 2019

पुलवामा में #CRPF काफिले पर हुए आतंकी हमले में शहीद सभी जवानों को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि। हमले में घायल सभी जवानों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की देशवासी कामना करते है।संकट और दुःख की इस घड़ी में पूरा देश उनके परिवारों के साथ खड़ा है।

— Manoj Kumar 🇮🇳 (@BoxerManojkr) 14 February 2019

वो आज फिर शहीद हो गए…ताकी हम ज़िंदा रहे सके….😭😭😭
🇮🇳भगवान सभी के परिवारों को हिम्मत दे…बहुत ही दुखद😭

— praveen kumar (@praveenkumar) 14 February 2019

Terribly saddened to hear the news of the #Pulwama attack. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.🙏🏻

— Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) 14 February 2019

Painful news from Pulwama Such a cowardly attack on the CRPF convoy. The highest sacrifice from our martyrs should not go waste. The perpetrators must be taught an immediate lesson. My heartfelt prayers for the families and injured.🙏🏻#Pulwama

— Unmukt Chand (@UnmuktChand9) 14 February 2019

Shocked and saddened to hear the news of the #Pulwama attack on our jawans. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. @crpfindia #CRPF

— Manika Batra (@manikabatra_TT) 14 February 2019

Deeply saddened to know about the cowardly attack on @crpfindia convoy in #Pulwama. My heart goes out to the families of martyred jawans and injured soldiers. #CRPFJawans

— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) 14 February 2019

A matter of great grief and anger as we lost our #Jawans at the #Pulwama attacks. My thoughts and prayers for the families of the martyrs. India will fight back!

— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) February 15, 2019

As per the local police, the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber, who rammed his explosive-laden car into the CRPF convoy. The CRPF bus was on its way from Jammu to Srinagar. Inspector General of CRPF, Zulfikar Hassan, said, “Yes, there has been an attack on the CRPF convoy.” He added, “We are still ascertaining what has happened.”