Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 27: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday repeated his resolve that the perpetrators and conspirators of the Pahalgam terror attack would be served with the harshest possible response.
Addressing the nation through his monthly radio broadcast “Mann Ki Baat,” Mr Modi expressed his deep anguish and said every Indian’s blood was boiling and each one of them was is feeling the pain of those who lost their own in the terror attack and appealed to the country to remain united during this time of crisis.
“Every Indian holds deep sympathies for the affected families. No matter which state one belongs to, no matter which language one speaks, one is feeling the pain of those who have lost their loved ones in this attack. I can feel that the blood of every Indian is on the boil after seeing the pictures of the terror attack,” Mr Modi said.
Without taking any name, the Prime Minister said the Pahalgam attack showed the frustration and cowardice of the “masters of terror.” “Peace in Kashmir was returning. There was vibrancy in schools and colleges, unprecedented speed in development work, construction work had gained unprecedented pace, democracy was becoming strong, a record increase in the number of tourists, incomes were increasing and new opportunities were emerging for the youth. The enemies of the country, of Jammu and Kashmir, did not like this,” he said.
He said the terrorists and the masterminds of terror want Kashmir to be destroyed again and hence they executed such a big conspiracy. “In this war against terrorism, the unity of the country, the solidarity of 140 crore Indians, is our biggest strength. This unity is the basis of our decisive fight against terrorism. We have to strengthen our resolve to face this challenge that has surfaced before the country. We have to demonstrate strong willpower as a nation,” he added.
The Prime Minister said the world was watching that after the terror attack, the whole country was speaking in one voice. “The anger that we the people of India feel, that anger is there in the whole world. After this terrorist attack, condolences are continuously pouring in from all over the world. Global leaders have called me up as well; written letters and sent messages too. Everyone has strongly condemned this heinous terrorist attack. They have expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. The whole world stands with 140 crore Indians in our fight against terrorism. I once again assure the affected families that they will get justice, and justice will be done,” he said.
“The unity of 140 crore Indians is the biggest strength in this war against terror. This unity is the basis of our decisive war against terror. We have to strengthen our ideals to face this challenge. We have to show our willpower as a nation. The whole world is watching how the country is speaking in one voice,” he said.
Twenty-five tourists and a Kashmiri man were shot dead in cold blood at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on April 22. This was one of the most ghastly terror attacks the Kashmir Valley has seen. Prime Minister Modi has said India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers and our spirit will never be broken.
The Prime Minister said the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who plotted it would “get a punishment they cannot imagine.” “The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven. The will of 140 crores will break the back of the masters of terror,” he said, his words directed at Pakistan, which is known to have backed acts of terror on Indian soil,” he said.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has implemented a series of diplomatic and strategic steps, in response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.
After the terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans in Pulwama in 2019, PM Modi sent a clear message to Pakistan and the perpetrators of the attack. He had said the security forces had been given “full freedom” to choose the “time and place” for “future course of action”. The Indian Air Force launched a surgical strike in Balakot in Pakistan a few days later.
