SUBHASHIS MITTRA, PTI, NEW DELHI, MAY 12, 2025 :
In his first address to the nation since the launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned Pakistan that India will not tolerate any “nuclear blackmail.” ‘Operation Sindoor’ was launched by India on the intervening night of May 6-7 to avenge the killing of 26 people in the Pahalgam terror attack. Indian armed forces targeted nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, killing over 100 terrorists.Asserting that India will not tolerate any “nuclear blackmail,” the Prime Minister said that operations against Pakistan have only been paused, and the future will depend on their behavior. “The world has seen the dirty truth of Pakistan when the high-ranked officers of the Army bid the slain terrorists adieu. There cannot be a bigger proof of state-sponsored terrorism,” he said. “There can’t be a bigger proof of state-sponsored terrorism,” Modi asserted.
Modi said while Pakistan pleaded with India to stop the military offensive, New Delhi considered it only after they promised to stop their misadventure. The PM termed the Pahalgam attack as the most “barbaric face of terrorism” and said it was “personal pain” for him. “But the enemy has now realized the consequences of removing ‘sindoor’ from the forehead of our women,” he said in his 20-minute address telecast nationwide over TV news channels.
In his blunt message to Pakistan, PM Modi said, “Talks and trade cannot go with terrorism. Blood cannot flow with water. I want to tell the world, if we hold talks with Pakistan, it will be regarding terror and PoK.” Invoking Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima today to stress that the path to peace goes through power, Modi said, “Today is Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha showed us the path of peace. ‘Shaanti ka maarg bhi shakti se hokar jata hai’… Today is not the era of war. But today is also not the era of terrorism.”
Modi said ‘Operation Sindoor’ was not just a name but, through it, the whole world saw India’s resolve turn into action and added that more than 100 dreaded terrorists were slaughtered in the Indian attack. “India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. We have only paused our operations against Pakistan; the future will depend on their behavior. Operation Sindoor is now India’s new policy against terrorism, a new line has been drawn,” he said.
“We gave a free hand to forces to demolish terror. Now all terror groups know what it means to wipe ‘sindoor’ off our women’s forehead… Operation Sindoor is a vow for justice. The world saw it become a reality,” Modi said. The Prime Minister said, “Today, I dedicate this valour, bravery, and courage (of armed forces) to every mother of our country, to every sister of the country, and to every daughter of the country.”
Modi said Pakistan slumped into gloom after the Indian attack on terror camps, “but they dared to attack us rather than helping fight terrorism. More than 100 dreaded terrorists were slaughtered in the Indian attack.” “The entire world saw how Pakistani drones were downed by our military might. India has struck at the heart of Pakistan, and our missiles attacked with precision to damage their airbases,” he said.
Modi’s address to the nation came two days after India and Pakistan reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air, and sea with immediate effect. The understanding was reached after four days of cross-border strikes that triggered fears of a wider conflict. Pakistan attempted to attack several Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10.
The Indian armed forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations, including Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian. Radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation base were also targeted using precision munitions, causing massive damage.
