The entire nation remains in shock after the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left many dead and the country grappling with its aftermath. Actor Hrishikesh Pandey, widely recognized for his role in the long-running show C.I.D., expressed his heartfelt condolences and shared his thoughts on the urgent steps needed to prevent such attacks in the future.
Pandey, who hails from an army background, spoke emotionally about the tragedy. He began by extending his deepest sympathies to the families affected. “First of all, my condolences are with the family, the ones who lost their family members. It’s really, really sad,” he said. His connection to the armed forces gave him a unique perspective on the situation, as he was raised in areas near the border like Pathankot and Kufwala. Having witnessed the difficult circumstances firsthand, he understood the gravity of such events in ways many others might not.
He reminisced about his own experiences, particularly when his brother was stationed at the Kufwala border. “At times, 1–2 small deaths were also not covered by the news channels, and people didn’t know about it too,” he shared. However, the situation has dramatically changed over the years, with news of attacks now reaching every corner of the country. Hrishikesh noted that his brother often spoke about the constant danger, recalling “shootouts, killings, and bombings” that were part of daily life at the border. Such stories from his brother kept the family well aware of the tense environment, even when they were far removed from it. “We used to hear from him every single day or every other day. These kinds of news and stories came from him because he was there and had experienced it all,” he explained.
Reflecting on the broader impact, Pandey acknowledged the booming tourism industry in Kashmir. “People had started going there, our shootings were happening there and, you know, people were back to leading a normal life,” he said. Despite the increasing peace, the recent attack has shattered the fragile sense of security, and he emphasized that it was now up to the government to take decisive action. “It depends on the government and what action they take. There has to be a strong reply to this,” he added.
For Hrishikesh, the most tragic aspect of such attacks is the loss of innocent lives. He passionately stressed that innocent people are often caught in the crossfire of political and religious conflicts. “Innocent people die in all these kinds of things, innocent people are killed for their selfish motives,” he remarked. He highlighted the importance of education in breaking the cycle of violence. According to him, education can foster understanding, empathy, and respect for life. “Once you are educated, then you understand feelings and emotions and family values and ethics,” he explained. He believes that terrorism thrives in an environment where ignorance and blind faith prevail. “You cannot blindly trust whatever you are told, and that is what these people do.”
Hrishikesh also voiced his concerns about political divisions that often emerge in the aftermath of such tragedies. “Politicians should not start doing their politics again. It has to be mutually decided,” he said. “Everybody should come together in situations like this and fight,” he added.
As the nation processes the shock of this devastating attack, Hrishikesh Pandey’s words serve as a powerful reminder of the need for unity, compassion, and a shared commitment to eliminating terrorism. His message that “it’s high time people should understand and come out with a solution instead of blaming each other” resonates strongly in a country where political divides often take precedence over collective action.
