Indo-Pak conflict: Sindoor turned into barood, says PM Modi; lauds Armed Forces

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that the country’s enemies have learnt what happens when ‘sindoor’ becomes ‘barood’ (gunpowder) and lauded India’s armed forces for creating such a trap that Pakistan was forced to go down on its knees.

In his first public address in Rajasthan after Operation Sindoor that was launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, the Prime Minister slammed Pakistan, and said in response to the attack on April 22, “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 said.

Before his address, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 26,000 crore.

Referring to the April 22 attack, PM Modi stated that while the bullets were fired in Pahalgam, they pierced the hearts of 140 crore Indians, uniting the entire nation in its resolve to fight terrorism.

He also highlighted a significant coincidence — five years ago, following the Balakot air strike, his first public rally was held in Rajasthan. Similarly, after the recent Operation Sindoor, his first rally is once again in Rajasthan, this time in Bikaner, reaffirming the state’s deep-rooted legacy of valor and patriotism.

In an apparent reference to Pakistan, the Prime Minister stated that those who assumed India would remain silent are now in hiding, while those who once boasted about their weapons now lie buried beneath the rubble.

“Those who sought to erase the sacred sindoor have been reduced to dust, and those who shed India’s blood have now paid the ultimate price," he said.

Modi stated that Operation Sindoor was not an act of revenge, but a new form of justice. He remarked that it was not merely an expression of outrage, but a powerful demonstration of India’s unwavering strength and determination.

He asserted that the nation has adopted a bold approach, striking the enemy directly and decisively. “Crushing terrorism is not just a strategy but a principle. This is India, this is the new India,” the Prime Minister said.

Outlining the three key principles established through Operation Sindoor in India’s fight against terrorism, PM Modi stated the first principle: any terrorist attack on India would be met with a decisive response, with the timing, method, and terms determined solely by India’s Armed Forces.

Second, he asserted that India would not be intimidated by nuclear threats. Third, he emphasised that India would no longer differentiate between terrorist masterminds and the governments that support them, rejecting Pakistan’s distinction between state and non-state actors.

Highlighting ongoing global efforts to expose Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism, the Prime Minister added that seven distinct groups, comprising leaders from various political parties and foreign policy experts, are actively working to present Pakistan’s true face to the world.

PM Modi asserted that Pakistan can never win a direct confrontation with India.

“Pakistan has long used terrorism as a weapon against India, resorting to violence and creating an atmosphere of fear. Any terrorist attack on India will result in severe consequences, with Pakistan paying a heavy price—felt in its military and its economy," the Prime Minister said.

India carried out precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10. The Indian forces launched a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.

India and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the military confrontation after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.

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