Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address since India launched Operation Sindoor against terror bases in Pakistan, issued a strong statement reiterating his earlier global message, “This is not an era of war”, with a crucial addition, “but this is also not an era of terror”.
Addressing the nation on Monday night (May 12), PM Modi declared, “Our unity against all forms of terrorism is our greatest strength. Zero tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee of a better world.”
In a sharp rebuke to Pakistan, he added, “The terrorists had removed the sindoor of our sisters, so India destroyed their headquarters of terror. More than 100 dreaded terrorists have been killed…Those who used to conspire against India, India finished them off.”
Operation Sindoor was launched following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 civilians were gunned down.
Praising the armed forces, PM Modi said, “The three armies of India along with BSF and other forces are on full alert.” He also said that India had shifted its approach post-surgical and air strikes and that Operation Sindoor marked a “new red line” in the nation’s counter-terror policy.
Rejecting any threats of “nuclear blackmail”, the Prime Minister stated firmly that India would respond to future terror attacks “with a befitting reply, on our terms”.
Pakistan has to dismantle its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace, the prime minister said.
“Pahalgam attack was the most barbaric face of terrorism, it was a personal pain for me. We gave the armed forces full liberty to raze terrorists to dust. The enemy has now realised the consequences of removing ‘sindoor’ from the forehead of our women. Operation Sindoor was not just a name… on May 7, the whole world saw our resolve turn into action,” he said.
“When our missiles and drones destroyed terror sites in Pakistan, not only their buildings but their spirit was also demolished. When ‘Nation First’ is our resolve, steely decisions are taken,” he said.