Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI May 25: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared India’s unwavering commitment to eliminating terrorism and hailed the precision strikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces against Pakistan and said ‘Operation Sindoor’ was not just a military mission but the “face of a changing India.”
In his 122nd edition of his monthly radio talk “Mann ki Baat” on Sunday, Mr Modi while lauding the “precision and accuracy” with which Indian forces attacked the terrorist infrastructure across the border, also commended the “made in India” weapons, equipment and technology that also contributed to the victory.
Operation Sindoor was launched on the intervening night of May 6-7 in wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces struck at nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK), destroying known terrorist bases including the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Hizbul Mujahideen. In the accompanying visuals, he showed the pictures of the terror sites that were destroyed by Indian armed forces in Pakistan and PoK.
“Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission; it is a picture of our resolve, courage and a transforming India and this picture has infused the whole country with a sense of patriotism and has painted it in the hues of the tricolour,” PM Modi said. He credited India’s home-grown defence capabilities for the mission’s success, following the spirit of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” “This was the ultimate bravery of our soldiers, backed by the power of weapons, equipment and technology made in India,” PM Modi said.
“Today, the entire nation is united against terrorism, filled with anger, but determined. Today, every Indians’ resolution is to eliminate terrorism,” said PM Modi. “The precision and accuracy with which our forces destroyed the terrorist hideouts across the border is extraordinary. Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission; it is a picture of our resolve, courage and a transforming India and this picture has infused the whole country with a sense of patriotism and has painted it in the hues of the tricolour,” he added.
He further noted the Tiranga Yatras that were held across India, with viral videos emerging from Chandigarh showing children making paintings and newborn babies being named after Sindoor.
He noted that Kashmir saw massive growth in recent years, with the surge in tourism and opportunities for the youth, and said the Pahalgam attack was a desperate attempt by the enemies of the nation to derail the region’s progress.
The Prime Minister made a fresh pitch for “vocal for local”, in this context, urging people to buy made-in-India goods, to travel within India for vacations, to gift Indian handicrafts and so on. “Let us take a pledge on this occasion — wherever possible in our lives, we will accord priority to products made in the country. This is not just a matter of economic self-reliance… it is a feeling of participation in nation building. One step of ours can become a huge contribution to the progress of India,” he said.
The operation’s success was celebrated across the country in many ways ranging from patriotic poems on social media to paintings by children and massive Tiranga Yatras. “In many cities, youth volunteered for civil defence, wrote poems, and sang songs of resolve, and children made paintings carrying powerful messages,” PM Modi said.
“After this campaign, a fresh wave of enthusiasm towards ‘vocal for local’ is being witnessed across the country. Certain instances truly touched the heart. Some families pledged ‘we will spend our next vacation at a beautiful place in the country itself.’ Many young people made a resolution to ‘Wed in India’. They will marry in the country itself,” PM Modi said.
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. The precision airstrikes on nine terror camps killed at least 170 terrorists. Pakistan escalated the situation and attempted to strike Indian civilian areas and military installations. It also launched ballistic missiles, which were intercepted and destroyed by India’s air defence systems, including S-400 and Akash.
Indian forces also destroyed 11 Pakistani air bases, inflicting major damage to Pakistan’s misadventure plans. On May 10, Pakistani DGMO reached out to his Indian counterpart, seeking a ceasefire. India reached an “understanding” with Pakistan to halt the military operations, however, also issued a stern warning that any future terrorist attack will be viewed as an “Act of War.”
