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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced rapid and direct military action against terrorism under Operation Sindoor as a “new normal” for the country.
The comments were made during a 22-minute national address to the Indian population. The address follows uneasy ceasefire being declared on the weekend between Pakistan and India.
Fighting between the two countries was initially ignited after pro-Muslim militants killed more than 26 tourists in the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir during the Pahalgam terror attack, and Indian military forces responded by targeting militant training camps and infrastructure with precision strikes in the Pakistan-controlled area of Kashmir and within Pakistan itself.
“Friends, the barbarity displayed by terrorists in Pahalgam on April 22 had shocked the entire country and the world,” he said in the national address.
“The merciless killing of innocent citizens in front of their family and their children on the basis of their religion was a very gruesome face of terror and cruelty. This was also a disgusting attempt to break the harmony and unity of the country.
“For me personally this was very painful. After this terrorist attack, the entire nation, every citizen, every community, every class, every political party, unitedly stood up for strong action against terrorism. We gave full freedom to the Indian forces to wipe out the terrorists.
“And today, every terrorist, every terror organisation knows the consequence of wiping out the Sindoor of our sisters and daughters.
“Operation Sindoor is not just a name but it’s a reflection of the feelings of millions of people of the country. Operation ’Sindoor’ is our unwavering commitment to justice.
“Late night of sixth May and in the early morning of seventh May, the whole world saw this pledge turn into reality. Indian forces attacked terror hideouts in Pakistan and their training centres with precision. The terrorists had never imagined that India could take such a big decision.
“After the surgical strike and air strike, now Operation Sindoor is India’s policy against terrorism. Operation Sindoor has carved out a new benchmark in our fight against terrorism and has set up a new parameter and new normal.
“First, If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given. We will give a befitting response on our terms only. We will take strict action at every place from where the roots of terrorism emerge.
“Secondly, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail.
“Thirdly, we will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism. During Operation Sindoor, the world has again seen the ugly face of Pakistan, when top Pakistani army officers came to bid farewell to the slain terrorists. This is strong evidence of state-sponsored terrorism. We will continue to take decisive steps to protect India and our citizens from any threat.”
Prime Minister Modi, who has held the prime ministerial office since May 2014 (there is no limit to the amount of time someone can be PM in India), also congratulated the courage and strength of India’s military forces.
However, he also stated that Pakistan had acted to support terrorism and targeted it at India.
“Pakistan was deeply disappointed and frustrated by this action of India (to attack last week). It was bewildered and in this bewilderment it did another cowardly act,” he said.
“Instead of supporting India’s strike against terrorism, Pakistan started attacking India itself. Pakistan targeted our schools, colleges, Gurudwaras, temples and houses of civilians. Pakistan targeted our military base. But in this act, Pakistan itself got exposed.
“The world saw how Pakistan’s drones and missiles fell like straws in front of India. India’s strong air defence system destroyed them in the sky itself. Pakistan had prepared for an attack on the border, but India struck at the heart of Pakistan. India’s drones and missiles attacked with precision.
“They damaged those airbases of the Pakistani Air Forces, of which Pakistan was very proud. India caused heavy damage to Pakistan in the first three days itself, which it had never imagined.
“That’s why after India’s aggressive action, Pakistan started looking for ways to escape. Pakistan was pleading to the world to ease tensions. And after suffering heavy losses, Pakistan’s army contacted our DGMO on the afternoon of 10th May.
“By then we had destroyed the infrastructure of terrorism on a large scale. The terrorists were eliminated. We had destroyed the terror camps established in the heart of Pakistan. Therefore, when Pakistan appealed and said that it will not indulge in any sort of terror activities or military audacity further, India considered it.
“And I am repeating again, we have just suspended our retaliatory action against Pakistan’s terror and military camps. In the coming days we will measure every step of Pakistan on the criterion that what sort of attitude Pakistan will adopt ahead.
“We have defeated Pakistan every time on the battlefield. And this time Operation Sindoor has added a new dimension. We have displayed our capabilities in the deserts and mountains and also proved our superiority in New Age Warfare. During this operation the authenticity of our Made in India weapons were also proven. Today the world is witnessing that in 21st century warfare, the time has come for Made in India defence equipment.”
Prime Minister Modi also claimed that the Pakistan government’s continued support of terrorism would lead to its downfall.
“The way the Pakistani army, Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day,” he said during the address.
“If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace. India’s stand is very clear ... Terror and talks cannot go together... Terror and trade cannot go together ... Water and blood cannot flow together.
“Today, I would also like to tell the global community that our stated policy has been: if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on terrorism; and if there are talks with Pakistan, it will be only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).”
