Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first address last night (12 May 2025) following the execution of ‘Operation Sindoor’ which saw India destroy terror camps and military bases deep inside Pakistan’s territory with airstrikes.
Modi said that he salutes the armed forces, military, intelligence agencies and scientists of India and dedicated their valour, bravery, and courage to every mother, sister and daughter of the country.
Today, every terrorist knows the consequences of wiping Sindoor from the foreheads of our sisters and daughters, added Modi.
Modi in his address also reiterated that ceasefire was achieved after Pakistan reached out directly to India rebuffing American President Donald Trump’s claims of involvement.
“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,” said Modi
Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on 7 May, resulting in the elimination of many terrorists including Abdul Rauf Azhar long suspected of orchestrating the brutal torture and murder of Wall Street Journal (WSJ) journalist Daniel Pearl.
He asserted that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand and any potential future dialogue with Pakistan would focus solely on terrorism and the return of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Modi highlighted that the world witnessed India’s resolve turning into action on May 7, sending a clear message against state-sponsored terrorism.
Modi said that while this is not an era of war it is also not an era of terrorism. He also said that Operation Sindoor has only been put on pause and not ended and that India will be watching Pakistan’s next steps.
If you target us with a terror attack, we will give the strongest response on our own terms. This is the new normal. There is a red line, added Modi.
Instead of acting against terror, Pakistan attacked us and our civilian areas as well as military. Indian Air Defence system destroyed their missiles. Pakistan attacked us at border. Yet India hit in the heart of Pakistan. Our drones and missiles hit them, said Modi.
Bahawalpur and Muridke in Pakistan have emerged as the global universities of terrorism. Globally terror attacks have had their links with Pakistan including 9/11 London Tube bombings, he added.
Giving a stern message Modi said that 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.”
Modi also emphasised on the need for Pakistan to destroy its terror infrastructure.
“The way the Pakistani army, Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day. 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.”
He also invoked Lord Buddha in his address,
“Today is Buddha Purnima. Lord Buddha has shown us the path of peace. The path of peace also goes through power. Humanity should move towards peace and prosperity. Every Indian should be able to live in peace, and can fulfill the dream of Viksit Bharat (Developed India). For this, it is very necessary for India to be powerful. And it is also necessary to use this power when required. And in the last few days, India has done just that.”
“Once again, I salute the Indian Army and Armed forces. I bow to the courage of every Indian, to the oath and resolve of unity of the people of India.”
India launched ‘Operation Sindoor in reply to the ghastly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The attack had killed 26 people. India struck nine terror sites deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). The operation’s targets were selected exclusively on credible intelligence to dismantle infrastructure of UN designated terrorist groups like Jaish-e- Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) who planned cross-border terrorist attacks, while avoiding civilian harm and avoiding military facilities.
India reiterated that its actions were focused, measured and non-escalatory, with civilian lives and infrastructure deliberately protected. But Pakistan chose to up the ante with a series of unprovoked escalations using artillery guns, drone strikes, missiles and other munitions.
This outreach followed a series of Indian retaliatory strikes on several Pakistani military bases (also confirmed by Pakistan) which came after two nights of Pakistani attempts to target locations along India’s northern and western borders, including civilian areas.
It appears that the successful strikes by India on some of Pakistan’s most important military bases like Rahim Yar Khan and Sargodha was perhaps the final nail in the coffin for Pakistan to stop its dangerous and escalatory behaviour.
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