Bengaluru, May 8 (UNI) In a move to honour the Indian soldiers involved in Operation Sindoor, the Karnataka government has directed that special prayers be held in mosques across the state.

This follows the pujas held earlier this week at various government temples, offering blessings for the safety and success of the armed forces.

The directive, issued by Minority Welfare Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, mandates that all mosques, including those under the jurisdiction of the Waqf Board, hold Friday prayers in tribute to the soldiers. The prayers are intended to seek divine blessings for the protection and well-being of the troops engaged in counter-terrorism efforts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was a series of precision strikes by India in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. The strikes, part of a larger counter-terrorism initiative, have been met with widespread support across the nation.

Zameer confirmed that he has instructed the CEO of the Waqf Board to ensure the prayers are conducted with the necessary respect and solemnity in all relevant mosques. The move underscores the state's support for the armed forces and is a gesture of solidarity with their critical mission.

The order follows a similar initiative where temples across Karnataka conducted pujas on May 8 to seek divine intervention for the safety of soldiers involved in Operation Sindoor. The Minister for Transport and Muzrai, Ramalinga Reddy, had issued a directive urging temples to perform ceremonies with devotion, focusing on the safety and success of the Indian Army.

This religious show of unity highlights the collective national effort in support of India's defense forces, with both Hindu and Muslim communities coming together in their prayers for the well-being of soldiers engaged in dangerous operations. UNI BDN SSP