On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a coordinated strike by the Indian Army and Air Force targeting nine terrorist camps across Pakistan. According to NDTV, the operation lasted around 25 minutes, from 1:05 AM to 1:30 AM, and resulted in the death of approximately 70 terrorists after 24 missiles were deployed.
The strikes, intended as a response to increasing cross-border threats, have generated strong reactions both within India and across the border in Pakistan. A number of Pakistani celebrities took to social media to express their condemnation of the operation, which they described as a loss of innocent lives.
Actor Fawad Khan called the strikes a ¡°shameful attack¡± in a public statement. Actress Mahira Khan also reacted, describing the military action as ¡°seriously cowardly.¡± Hania Aamir, another prominent Pakistani figure, posted a message on Instagram expressing deep sadness and frustration. In her statement, she referred to the loss of civilian lives and questioned the morality of such operations. She conveyed anger, grief, and called the act "cruelty, plain and simple," suggesting that it should not be regarded as strategy.
Actress Mawra Hocane voiced a similar sentiment on X (formerly Twitter), stating that she ¡°strongly condemns India¡¯s cowardly attack on Pakistan.¡±
These public statements have since ignited debate on Indian social media platforms, with many users criticising the celebrities for their comments. A Reddit thread discussing the incident featured users expressing disappointment and anger, with some suggesting that actors like Fawad Khan should not expect any future opportunities in Bollywood. Others questioned the framing of the operation by Pakistani artists, pointing out that the strikes targeted terror camps and not civilians.
The tension between both countries has spilled over into the entertainment industry before, and this latest incident appears to have reignited those sentiments. While the official position of either government regarding the celebrities' statements remains unaddressed, the responses reflect the ongoing sensitivity surrounding the geopolitical situation.
As Operation Sindoor continues to be discussed on various platforms, the intersection of politics and celebrity influence once again highlights the complexities of public discourse during times of conflict.