Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Palana, Bikaner, on Thursday, declared that India’s adversaries have witnessed the consequences when “sindoor” transforms into “gunpowder.” He commended the Indian armed forces for orchestrating a strategic trap that compelled Pakistan to surrender.
In his first public address in Rajasthan following Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam attack, the Prime Minister condemned Pakistan. He asserted that in response to the April 22 attack, “we destroyed nine biggest terror hideouts in 22 minutes.”
“The world and the enemies of the country have seen what happens when sindoor turns into ‘barood’ (gunpowder),” he stated. He emphasized that India would not be intimidated by nuclear threats and would deliver a decisive response to any terrorist attack. “The time and methods will be decided by our armed forces,” he added.
Modi highlighted that his government had granted full autonomy to all three armed forces, enabling them to create a situation where Pakistan was forced to capitulate. He noted Pakistan’s failed attempt to target the Nal air base in Bikaner without causing damage, while remarking on the uncertain future of Pakistan’s Rahimyar Khan air base, which he claimed was in “ICU” due to the destructive attack.
He further asserted that Pakistan could never prevail in a direct conflict with India, consistently facing defeat. This, he suggested, is why Pakistan has resorted to terrorism as a weapon against India.
Operation Sindoor involved precision strikes on terror infrastructure by India on May 7, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. Following India’s action, Pakistan attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, prompting a strong counter-attack by Indian forces on several Pakistani military installations. The military confrontation, characterized by four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, concluded on May 10 after an understanding was reached between India and Pakistan.
