Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s fresh warning to Pakistan on Tuesday that any more spilling of Indians’ blood will call for its destruction, the Islamabad-sponsored terrorists intruded at Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir, only to get killed by the alert armed forces.
A day after addressing the nation on Monday evening on the Pahalgam massacre and India’s historic reaction to it, PM Modi on Tuesday flew to the Adampur airbase of Indian Air Force (IAF) in Punjab, debunking Pakistan’s claim that it destroyed S-400 there.
The S-400 “Sudarshan Chakra” is the Indian name given to the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system acquired from Russia.
He also interacted with airmen, and hailed the armed forces for their remarkable achievements during the ongoing Operation Sindoor.
He also called their actions a source of “immense pride” for the nation. “You have made all Indians hold their head up high and made them proud. You have made history.”
When the soldiers chanted Bharat Mata Ki Jai, PM Modi responded with a salute. “This (Bharat Mata ki Jai) is the voice of every Indian who wants to do something for the country. It resonates across the country, as well as during the war,” he said.
Highlighting the success of Operation Sindoor, he noted, “I can proudly say that all of you reached your target with perfection. The enemy tried to attack this air base and several of our other air bases multiple times. They targeted us again and again but the nefarious designs of Pakistan failed each time.”
The PM emphasised that Bharat Mata ki Jai was not merely a slogan, but a pledge by Indian soldiers and the people to dedicate their lives to the nation.
“When our drones and missiles hit our enemies, they hear Bharat Mata Ki Jai. When our armed forces take wind out of nuclear blackmail, our enemies understand the significance of this chant,” he said.
Operation Sindoor, PM Modi said, had sent a clear message to Pakistan that “there is no place to hide” and that India is fully capable of defending itself with force and precision.
He said, “India’s Laxman Rekha against terrorism is crystal clear now. If another terror attack occurs, India will give a solid reply. We saw this during surgical strike, and during the air strike. Now, Operation Sindoor is India’s new normal.”
“As I said yesterday, India has decided on three points. First, if there is a terrorist attack on India, we will give a reply in our way, on our condition, on our time. Second, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. Third, we will not see terror-supporting government and terror masterminds as separate entities. The world too is set to follow India’s new form, its new system,” he added.
India had “shown Pakistan its place” through the success of the ongoing Operation Sindoor. “Our Army, Air Force and Navy personnel made the Pakistani army bite the dust and showed them their right place,” he said.
This Operation sent shockwaves globally. “Because of your courage, echoes of Operation Sindoor’s success can be heard across the globe,” he told the military personnel.
Calling out Pakistan for backing terrorism, PM Modi said, “The godfathers of terrorism have realised that casting an evil eye on India will only mean their own destruction.” He issued a stern warning that any future attack would be met with a response “in our own way, in our own time and place.” He asserted that India would not be deterred by any form of nuclear blackmail.
Highlighting the modernisation of India’s defence capabilities, he said the Indian armed forces are now well equipped not just with cutting-edge technology, but also with highly skilled personnel. “India is protecting its skies not only with drones but also with data,” he said.
Meanwhile, the armed forces killed three terrorists on Tuesday in a gunfight with police and security forces in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday, police said.
“On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a #RashtriyasRifles Unit, about presence of terrorists in general area Shoekal Keller, #Shopian, #IndianArmy launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists,” said an army spokesman on X.
Officials identified two of them as Shahid Kuttay, son of Muhammed Yousuf Kuttay, a resident of Chotipora Heerpora, Shopian, and Adnan Shafi Dar of Wanduna, Melhora, Shopian.
Shahid had joined the terrorist ranks on March 08, 2023. He was a category A militant and affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT). Adnan had joined the LeT on Oct 18, 2024 and was a category C terrorist.