One of India’s largest drugmaker Zydus Cadila and smaller firm Macleods Pharma suspended their Srinagar based company executives for posting what they termed as anti-national message on social media networks.

Mumbai based Macleods Pharma in a letter to its employee Riyaz Ahmad Wani said “In respect of the severe terrorist attack on our security forces at Pulwama, J&K state….. You have posted an anti-national message on your Facebook account of social Media as under: ‘Athh wanaan surgical strike’ meaning thereby- ‘This is called surgical strike."

Sources in the pharma sector confirmed the development. On Friday late evening, both suspension-cum-show-cause notice letters went viral amongst the pharma industry’s WhatsApp group along with phone recording of HR of Macleoids.

Both companies suspended their respective employees and issued a showcase notice giving 48 hours to respond to clarify their stand along with proper supporting evidence. In case of absence of their response, it will be presumed that they don’t have explanation/clarification of their actions and will be terminated from the job.

ET made several phone calls and send SMS to Zydus Cadila, but there was no response. An email query sent to both companies didn’t elicit any response.