Actor Shaheer Sheikh has expressed his gratitude towards the Indian Armed Forces amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Hailing from Bhaderwah in Jammu, Shaheer shared the emotional toll the conflict has taken on his family, particularly his mother and sister who are in Jammu. They were affected by Pakistan’s retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting military zones in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur.

Shaheer posted a heartfelt note on Instagram that read, “Eternally indebted to our armed forces! My mother & sister are in Jammu… & the attacks gave us all sleepless nights. But to see the precision, swiftness and bravery with which our forces responded is remarkable. I can only imagine what the families of a soldier go through when their ‘own’ is on the frontline (sic).”

He saluted the resilience of soldiers and their families, adding, “Hats off to the soldiers, hats off to their families. This bravery on and outside of the battlefield is what keeps our country & its countrymen safe. My sincere condolences to the people who lost their loved ones in these trying times. Jai Hind (sic).”

Terrorists targetted tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow on April 22, killing 26 and injuring several others. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched missile strikes early on May 8 on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir under ‘Operation Sindoor’. The strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure but avoided Pakistani military facilities. The Indian Army described the operation as focused, measured, and non-escalatory.

Shaheer Sheikh was last seen in the film ‘Do Patti’, where he played the lead role opposite Kriti Sanon. Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi and written by Kanika Dhillon, the thriller also featured Kajol and Tanvi Azmi. The film is streaming on Netflix.