Terrorists Eliminated, But Questions Remain: Aaditya Thackeray on Operation Mahadev and India-Pakistan Cricket Ties

Mumbai: Reacting to the successful neutralisation of all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack under Operation Mahadev, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray praised the Indian armed forces while raising tough questions over broader national policy and intelligence preparedness.

“Whenever a terrorist is killed, we have to be proud of our armed forces,” Thackeray said, acknowledging the bravery and efficiency of Indian security personnel. He described the elimination of the attackers as a moment of national pride, but said it should not overshadow serious questions about internal security and national policy direction.

Referring directly to the Pahalgam terror attack, he said, “If we talk about the Pahalgam attackers, where did they come from and where did they disappear?” Thackeray questioned the apparent intelligence gap that allowed the assailants to infiltrate and execute an attack that left 26 civilians dead in Baisaran Valley.

In a sharp and politically charged statement, Thackeray also questioned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and its decisions amid national tensions. “Why is BCCI allowing a cricket match between India and Pakistan?” he asked, suggesting that holding sports ties with Pakistan contradicts the government’s claim of zero tolerance against terrorism.