PM Narendra Modi in Bikaner

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a public rally in Rajasthan’s Bikaner on Thursday, delivered a strong message on national security, counterterrorism, and India’s stance on Pakistan. Referring to the recent counterterror action under Operation Sindoor in retaliation of Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam, he said India had given its armed forces a “free hand,” which led to a swift and decisive strike in early hours of May 7.“In response to the attacks on the 22nd, within just 22 minutes, our forces destroyed nine of the biggest terrorist bases,” PM Modi said. “The enemies of India, both within and outside, have now seen what happens when sindoor turns into gunpowder,” (jab sindoor barood ban jata hai, to kya nateeja hota hai.)Taking a firm stance on Pakistan, he ruled out the possibility of any dialogue or trade. “There will be no talks and no trade with Pakistan. If there are talks, they will only be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” he said. Modi warned that if Pakistan continues to export terror, it will be left begging for every drop of water, vowing to block India’s rightful share of river water from flowing into the neighbouring country.

Rejecting nuclear threats from across the border, PM Modi said, “India will not be scared of nuclear threats.”Striking an emotional chord, the Prime Minister added, “Not blood, but sindoor runs in my veins,” and said those who tried to wipe it out “have been reduced to dust.”He highlighted that any future response to terrorist attacks on India will be decisive and entirely led by the armed forces, in both timing and strategy: “If there is another terrorist strike on India, our forces will choose the time and method of the reply.”The PM also reiterated his 2019 promise, saying, “Saugandh mujhe iss Desh ki mitti ki, mein desh nahi mitne dunga, mein desh nahi Jhukne dunga.”India on May 7 launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Indian armed forces under its major counterterror operation destroyed 9 terror hideouts in Pakistan and PoK, which included high-value targets: Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Muridke camp.