Justice served

I’ve waited years for justice for Daniel Pearl, my friend and ex-boss, whose death has haunted me ever since he was brutally beheaded in 2002 in Pakistan.

One of the nine terror infrastructure targets destroyed in the May 7 Op Sindoor, included the stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammed, in which Abdul Rauf Azhar was also killed. Azhar's role in the IC-814 hijacking had led to the release of Omar Saeed Sheikh who later kidnapped and killed Daniel Pearl.

As a young, passionate coordinator at the New Delhi bureau of The Wall Street Journal, I shared an office with him.

When he went to Pakistan, Danny asked me to accompany him. Due to some technical issues, I could not go. When he was kidnapped and beheaded in 2002, I cursed myself for not going along with him.

His murder, orchestrated by terrorists like Abdul Rauf Azhar, fuelled my resolve for justice.

This strike avenges Danny and the Pahalgam attack’s 26 victims.

Over 100 terrorists were killed in strikes as part of Op Sindoor, including the most wanted Abdul Rauf Azhar. Rauf was the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and was involved in the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight in 1999. Azhar's role in the IC-814 hijacking led to the release of Omar Saeed Sheikh, who later kidnapped and killed American-Jewish journalist Daniel Pearl.

Daniel Pearl was the South Asia bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal and was investigating terror links to Pakistan's intelligence establishment when he was abducted and killed in 2002.

In 2002, I was with the Press Trust of India. I had gone to sleep after my night shift ended, and was awakened when my mobile started ringing. It was Sharad, my friend, who had been maintaining a close watch since the day Daniel Pearl, or Danny as we called him, was abducted from Karachi in Pakistan in 2002. Danny had been killed.

The moment Danny was abducted, there was a lurking fear that his death warrant had already been signed by the terrorists.

Danny never lived to see his child and that is the most painful part. Marianne, Danny’s wife was five-months pregnant with their child (later christened Adam) at the time of his tragic death.

The death of Abdul Rauf Azhar in the May 7 Op Sindoor strikes, is being touted as justice to Danny. But has justice been served?

Rauf’s death does not bring me any cheer or solace. It is a mere vindication of the Biblical adage: Those who live by the sword shall die by the sword.

Justice shall be served when the others involved in the heinous act are brought to justice.

Not just for Adam but for Harshal too. Harshal’s father Sanjay Lele was killed in the April 22 attacks in Pahalgam.

Justice also needs to be done to Moshe Holtzberg, who was left an orphan when Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed both his parents, Rabbi Gabriel Holtzberg and Rivka Holztberg, in the assault on Nariman House, also known as Chabad  House during the 26/11 attack.

Justice also needs to be done to all those Indians who have had to suffer terrorist violence emanating from Pakistan. 

Enough is enough. 

This has to stop no matter the price we pay for all the lives that were snuffed out. 

For our future generations. 

For peace.