Modi: Op Sindoor most successful anti-terror exercise in India’s history

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pakistan-sponsored April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, was the most successful counter-terrorism exercise in Indian history. The PM was speaking on the occasion of the 300th birth anniversary of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Addressing the Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan after inaugurating multiple development projects, the PM, referring to the attack in Pahalgam, said terrorists not only shed the blood of Indians but also struck at the nation’s cultural ethos seeking to divide society. “Most significantly, they challenged India’s Nari Shakti and this challenge proved fatal for the terrorists and their handlers. Operation Sindoor is India’s largest and most successful counter-terrorism operation in history,” said Modi, adding that at locations where Pakistan’s forces never anticipated action, the Indian armed forces dismantled terrorist bases. He said Operation Sindoor had sent a clear message that proxy wars through terrorism would not be tolerated. “India will not only eliminate threats within its territory but will also ensure that a heavy price is paid by those supporting terrorists. Every Indian now echoes the same sentiment, if you fire bullets, you will face artillery shells,” said the PM. He said Operation Sindoor stood as a testament to the strength and valour of India’s women power (Nari Shakti) and lauded the crucial role played by the BSF in the operation. “From Jammu to Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, a significant number of BSF women personnel were on the frontlines. Their resolute response to cross-border firing and active participation in command and control centres as well as in eliminating enemy positions is commendable,” the PM said, noting that the world was witnessing the capability of India’s daughters in national defence. The PM said over the past decade, the government had undertaken several measures to strengthen women’s role in the security forces. Among pro-women measures through the decade, he highlighted that the doors of Sainik Schools had been opened for girls, marking a historic step. “In 2014, only 25 per cent of NCC cadets were female, whereas today, their participation is increasing to 50 per cent,” the PM said, celebrating a landmark moment as the first batch of women cadets passed out from the NDA on Friday. The PM emphasised that women were now serving at forward positions in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, and highlighted that women officers were showcasing their courage and leadership from fighter jets to the INS Vikrant warship, demonstrating their growing role in India’s defence forces. Modi specially mentioned a recent demonstration of courage by women of the Indian Navy, referring to the Navika Sagar Parikrama. “Two brave women officers completed a nearly 250-day maritime journey, circumnavigating the globe. The remarkable feat of covering thousands of kilometres using a sailboat powered solely by wind, enduring prolonged periods at sea without sight of land is a major achievement,” said the PM. He acknowledged the severe weather conditions and storms they overcame, in signs of their resilience and also spoke of how women were leading several crucial space and science missions. The PM, while underscoring the growing role of women in safeguarding the nation, be it anti-Naxal operations or countering cross-border threats, said the government was making the vision of women-led development the axis of governance.

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