New Delhi [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that Pakistan was “deeply disappointed and frustrated” by India’s precision strikes on terror infrastructure during Operation Sindoor, adding that the Indian Armed Forces responded firmly to Pakistan’s subsequent military aggression and damaged several of its proud airbases.
In a national address, PM Modi said the world witnessed how Pakistan’s missile and drone attacks failed in the face of India’s superior air defence system.
“The world saw how Pakistan’s drones and missiles fell like straws in front of India. India’s strong air defence system destroyed them in the sky itself,” he said.
He added that while Pakistan had prepared for border confrontation, India strategically struck deep within its territory.
“Pakistan had prepared for an attack on the border, but India struck at the heart of Pakistan,” the Prime Minister said, noting that Indian drones and missiles launched precision strikes.
Following India’s action, Pakistan reportedly sought de-escalation.
“Pakistan started looking for ways to escape and was pleading to the world to ease tensions. When Pakistan appealed and said that it will not indulge in any sort of terror activities or military audacity further, India considered it,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister stated that the Pakistani Army reached out to India’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on May 10, after suffering significant losses.
India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people lost their lives. PM Modi described the operation as a national pledge to justice.
“Operation Sindoor is not just a name but it’s a reflection of the feelings of millions of people of the country. Operation ‘Sindoor’ is our unwavering commitment to justice. Late night of May 6 and in the early morning of May 7, the whole world saw this pledge turn into reality. Indian forces attacked terror hideouts in Pakistan and their training centers with precision. The terrorists had never imagined that India could take such a big decision. But when the country is united, endowed with the spirit of Nation First and national interest is paramount, then strong decisions are taken and results are achieved.”
Highlighting the symbolic retaliation, PM Modi stated:
“When India’s missiles and drones attacked terrorist bases in Pakistan, not only the buildings of terrorist organizations but their courage also was shaken badly. Terrorist bases, like Bahawalpur and Muridke are universities of global terrorism. The big terrorist attacks of the world, be it 9/11, be it London Tube bombings, or the big terrorist attacks which have happened in India in the last many decades their roots are somehow connected to these terrorist hideouts.”
He said India avenged the Pahalgam attack in full measure.
“The terrorists had wiped out the Sindoor of our sisters and India responded by destroying their terrorist headquarters. More than 100 dreaded terrorists have been killed in these attacks by India. Many terrorist leaders were roaming freely in Pakistan for the last two and a half to three decades who used to conspire against India. India killed them in one stroke.”
PM Modi said Pakistan, unable to counter diplomatically or militarily, retaliated by targeting civilians.
“Instead of supporting India’s strike against terrorism, Pakistan started attacking India itself. Pakistan targeted schools, colleges, Gurudwaras, temples and houses of civilians and also India’s military bases.”
However, he asserted that Pakistan’s attempts failed spectacularly.
“But in this act Pakistan itself got exposed. The world saw how Pakistan’s drones and missiles fell like straws in front of India. India’s strong air defense system destroyed them in the sky itself. Pakistan had prepared for an attack on the border, but India struck at the heart of Pakistan. India’s drones and missiles attacked with precision. They damaged those airbases of the Pakistani Air Forces, of which Pakistan was very proud. India caused heavy damage to Pakistan in the first three days itself, which it had never imagined.”
He said after this, Pakistan made desperate appeals to the international community.
“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.”
PM Modi made it clear that India has only suspended retaliatory strikes, and will closely observe Pakistan’s next steps.
“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.”