New Delhi [India], May 7 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday hailed Operation Sindoor, calling it a 'closure' for the families affected by the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians, including a Nepali national, were killed.

Shivakumar emphasised that the Congress party stands firmly behind the Indian Armed Forces and the Centre, and stressed the need to set aside politics during moments of national crisis.

'There is closure for the families of the victims. We cancelled a protest in Raichur against the price rise in view of the retaliatory attacks. We don't want to do politics on this issue, and we strongly stand behind the defence forces and the government,' he said.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Deputy Chief Minister said, 'Operation Sindhoor was an appropriate response to the cowardly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.'

Speaking ANI, Shivakumar said, 'We are proud of our Defence forces. We salute them for protecting our nation. The Congress party fully stands behind them.'

When asked about the Pahalgam terrorist attack victims from Karnataka, he said, 'Incidents like these should not been seen from the perspective of a state. It is a national tragedy. We are all together in this moment.'

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched a strike at the terror hideouts deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir under 'Operation Sindoor' on Wednesday morning.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh announced that nine terror camps were targeted and destroyed by Indian forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. 'Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families,' Singh said.

Col Sofiya Qureshi showed video footage of the destroyed sites, including camps in Muridke, where David Headley and Ajmal Kasab were trained, and others in Sialkot, Barnala, Kotli, and Mehmoona Joya.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the attack on Pahalgam aimed to derail the return of normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir. The government termed Operation Sindoor the deepest strike by Indian forces inside Pakistani territory since 1971. (ANI)