Nagpur: Following India’s launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’—a retaliatory strike targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to the deadly April terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir—Indians and Pakistanis residing in the United Kingdom are experiencing a tense atmosphere marked by unease and cautious silence.
The April attack had claimed the lives of 26 people, including several tourists, prompting a strong military response from India late Wednesday night. While no major unrest has been reported in the UK, individuals from both Indian and Pakistani communities have reportedly planned rallies to express their respective views.
Nagpur-born engineer Kalyani Ladekar, who is currently working in the UK, shared her perspective on the situation. “I recently spoke to a friend from Pakistan who was deeply concerned about civilian casualties in Pakistan, but seemed to ignore the reality of the terror attack in Kashmir,” she said. “It was a reminder of how biased media sources can shape public perception. Although the rallies are happening, there hasn’t been any visible conflict yet. Still, the atmosphere is tense.”
Ladekar voiced concern over the possibility of escalation. “I sincerely hope this doesn’t spiral into a war. We’ve all witnessed the horror of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and no country should have to endure that.”
Maroof Khan, another Indian engineer working in the UK, expressed support for India’s response. “This strike sends a strong message that terrorism will not be tolerated. While I don’t support violence, sometimes decisive action is necessary to defend national integrity,” he said.
Chaitanya Gamot, a chef based in the UK, emphasized the emotional toll such events take on those with families back home. “Ever since the strike, I’ve been constantly checking on my family in India. There’s a lot of misinformation going around—some members of the Pakistani community here are claiming 26 civilian deaths and criticizing India,” he noted. “We can only hope this doesn’t escalate. A war would be catastrophic for both countries, economically and socially.”
As tensions continue to mount between the two nations, the diaspora in the UK remains watchful, hoping that diplomacy will prevail over conflict.
