India Strikes Back: Operation Sindoor Unleashed

India Has Redrawn the Rules of Retaliation”: PM Modi Declares New Era in Counter-Terror Policy After Operation Sindoor

 

In a landmark televised address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the success of Operation Sindoor as a watershed moment in India’s evolving security doctrine, asserting that the strikes carried out deep inside Pakistan’s territory had “redefined the rules of engagement” in the country’s fight against terrorism.

Calling it a “reflection of the sentiments of 1.4 billion Indians,” the Prime Minister commended the Indian armed forces for their precision and resolve in dismantling terror infrastructure across the border. “This was not merely a military operation; it was a message to those who dare challenge the dignity and security of Indian citizens,” he said, saluting the courage of soldiers and the unwavering support of India’s intelligence and scientific communities.

Operation Sindoor: A Decisive Shift

Modi detailed the events leading to India’s decisive response following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April, where several civilians, including women and children, were brutally targeted. The Prime Minister termed the assault “a grotesque act of hate,” one intended not just to kill but to fracture the fabric of India’s communal harmony. “This was not just terror—it was an assault on the soul of our nation,” he said, adding that the country’s unity in the aftermath gave the government the moral strength to act swiftly.

The Prime Minister revealed that between 6 and 7 May, Indian forces launched coordinated missile and drone strikes on terrorist strongholds in Pakistan, specifically targeting areas like Bahawalpur and Muridke—long known as incubators of global jihadist activity. These locations, he noted, had links to some of the most devastating international terror attacks, including 9/11 and the London Tube bombings.

“Over 100 of the most dangerous terrorists were eliminated,” he said, including key operatives who had been on India’s radar for decades. “Those who dared to attack our women’s dignity have met their end,” he declared, stating that India's retaliation had shattered both infrastructure and morale within Pakistan’s militant networks.

A Turning Point in India's Security Doctrine

Emphasising the doctrine behind Operation Sindoor, Modi laid out what he called the three pillars of India’s new counter-terror strategy:

1. Decisive Retaliation – Any terror attack on Indian soil will trigger a firm and proportional military response, he said. “We will retaliate on our terms and strike at the roots.”
2. Zero Tolerance for Nuclear Blackmail – Rejecting Pakistan’s long-standing use of nuclear threats as a shield for harbouring terror outfits, Modi stated that “no nuclear bluff will prevent India from acting against threats.”
3. No Distinction Between Terrorists and Their Sponsors – In a direct indictment of Pakistan’s establishment, the Prime Minister pointed to senior military officials attending funerals of slain terrorists. “When the state mourns for terrorists, its complicity is laid bare before the world.”

Pakistan's Escalation and India’s Response

The Prime Minister confirmed that Pakistan retaliated with a volley of missile and drone attacks, striking civilian locations including schools, religious sites, and residential areas. However, he highlighted the “remarkable effectiveness” of India’s air defence systems in neutralising incoming threats.

“Pakistan prepared to strike our borders; we struck its core,” he said, revealing that Indian drones inflicted serious damage on Pakistani airbases. He described Pakistan’s losses in the first 72 hours as “far beyond anything they had anticipated.”

Facing military setbacks and diplomatic isolation, Pakistan sought de-escalation. Modi disclosed that the Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) in Pakistan reached out to India on 10 May, pledging to cease hostilities and end support for terrorist activity. Based on this assurance, India opted to temporarily suspend further strikes, but Modi cautioned, “This is not closure—it is a pause. Every move of theirs will be watched, every commitment verified.”

Strength Through Unity and Indigenous Power

Modi also used the platform to highlight India’s growing self-reliance in defence. “The success of Made-in-India missiles, drones and surveillance systems during Operation Sindoor has changed global perceptions,” he said, noting that India's military has demonstrated strength in both conventional and New Age Warfare.

He reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to peace, invoking Lord Buddha on the occasion of Buddha Purnima: “The path to peace must be guided by strength. This is not an age of war, but nor can it be an age of terrorism.”

Firm Red Lines

In a message directed at both Islamabad and the global community, Modi reiterated India's long-held red lines: “Terror and talks cannot go hand in hand. Terror and trade cannot coexist. Blood and water cannot flow together.”

He underscored that any future engagement with Pakistan would be contingent solely upon the issue of terrorism and discussions surrounding Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). “If Pakistan wishes to survive, it must dismantle its terror infrastructure. There is no other road to peace.”

A Nation Stands Guard

Concluding his address, the Prime Minister assured citizens that all branches of India’s defence apparatus remain on high alert. “Operation Sindoor is now national policy,” he said. “It marks the beginning of a new strategic normal—where India responds, not reacts.”

He saluted the armed forces, honoured the memory of civilians lost in the recent attacks, and called upon every citizen to stay united. “Our greatest strength is our unity. Together, we are writing a new chapter of a strong and secure India.”