Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that over 100 terrorists were killed in Operation Sindoor, a military operation launched by India in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 people. According to Modi, the operation involved precision strikes on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
Modi asserted that India has only "paused" its military action and will retaliate on its own terms if another terror attack occurs. He emphasized that "terror and talks can't go together, nor can terror and trade," ruling out any dialogue unless it pertains to terrorism or the return of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He cautioned that Pakistan's support for terrorism will lead to its downfall, stating that peace cannot be achieved unless the terror infrastructure is dismantled. "The way the Pakistani army and the Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day," he said. "If Pakistan wants to survive, it will have to destroy its terror infrastructure. There is no other way to peace".
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, involved attacks on nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoJK. Indian armed forces reportedly destroyed multiple camps of terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen. India has released videos showcasing the damage inflicted on Pakistani military air bases during the operation. Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director General of Air Operations, presented evidence of the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi and the Rahim Yar Khan airbase in Punjab being heavily damaged. India also targeted military installations such as radar installations, command and control centers, and ammunition depots in areas including Rafiqui, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Sialkot.
Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan launched drones and missiles at western parts of India, which were successfully intercepted. After four days of intense cross-border exchanges, a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10 to halt military actions. However, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai stated that Pakistan violated the ceasefire within hours with cross-border firing and drone intrusions, which were responded to robustly.
PM Modi stated that Operation Sindoor signifies a doctrinal change and a firm policy against terror. He added that it will be a continuing and decisive action against state-sponsored terror attacks on Indian citizens. Modi affirmed that India would strike at the heart of terror decisively if its citizens are attacked, emphasizing that "nuclear blackmail" will not work against India. He also highlighted that the world has seen evidence of Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism, such as Pakistani army officers attending the funerals of terrorists.
Modi praised the use of "Made in India" weapons in the operation, which allowed for precise and calibrated strikes across terror beds in Pakistan and PoJK. He noted that India's missile and drone strikes shattered the infrastructure and morale of terrorists, eliminating over 100 terrorists, including key figures involved in major attacks.
The operation has led to a new understanding with Pakistan to stop all firings and military actions on land, air, and sea. Despite this agreement, Pakistani drones were sighted and intercepted in Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Gujarat. India has warned that any ceasefire violation will be met with a fitting and strong response.
