Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday interacted with Indian Air Force (IAF) jawans at the Adampur airbase in Punjab, less than a day after he addressed the nation on Operation Sindoor in which Indian armed forces targeted terror infra in Pakistan.
In his address to the nation Monday, Modi had said that while this is not the era of war, it is also not the era of terror.
He underlined that when it comes to Pakistan, terror and talks cannot happen together, terror and trade cannot happen together, blood and water cannot flow together. “If we talk to Pakistan, it will be on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir only,” he said.
He also said Op Sindoor unmasked Pakistan, since presence of uniformed officers of the Pakistani military at the funeral of a terrorist was evidence of state-sponsored terrorism.
India-Pakistan tensions | HIGHLIGHTS
5.55 pm: In a press conference in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says India will continue to keep Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance till Pakistan credibly dismantles the terror infrastructure flourishing on its soil.
In response to a question about US President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan, Jaiswal said all issues between the two countries will have to be resolved bilaterally.
4 pm: Invoking S-400 surface-to-air missile system, Modi says manpower and technology worked in alignment to execute Op Sindoor and defend the country against retaliatory actions by Pakistan. He adds, Indian armed forces successfully merged ‘tech with tactic’.
This is Naya Bharat, it wants peace, but if humanity is attacked it knows how to give a befitting reply, says Modi.
3.55 pm: Stressing that Indian doesn’t see terrorists and the governments that sponsor them as separate, Modi says India will not tolerate nuclear blackmail, and respond to any terrorist attack in its own time and on its own terms.
On Op Sindoor, Modi tells IAF personnel at Adampur airbase: Navy had control of the seas, Army protected borders, and Air Force attacked the enemy while also defending India.
3.50 pm: Pakistan tried to hit our airbases but we destroyed their ill intentions and audacity, says Modi; adds that Pakistan’s air force, navy and missiles failed in front of India’s air defences.
He reiterates that India’s red lines are very clear: if there is any terror attack, India will give a strong response. “We have seen this during surgical strikes and air strikes; Operation Sindoor is India’s new normal.”
3.45 pm: To strike targets behind enemy lines within a matter of 25 minutes, only a modern professional force can pull it off, says Modi. The enemy was taken by surprise, he adds; PM also reiterates that India’s aim was to decimate terror infra, but Pakistan used its civilian aircraft as shields.
3.40 pm: Emphasising that Sindoor was no ordinary military operation, Modi tells IAF personnel: ‘When the sindoor of our daughters and sisters was snatched, we crushed the terrorists in their homes.’ Nine terrorist complexes were destroyed, more than 100 terrorists killed, reiterates PM.
3.35 pm: After many years from now, when there will be talk of India’s bravery, the armed forces will be the main focus, says Modi; adds that every Indian is standing with the men and women in uniform.
3.30 pm: When Indian drones and missiles strike the target, enemies hear ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai,’ PM tells IAF personnel; says armed forces have made every Indian proud by successfully executing Operation Sindoor. He also says that the Indian military punctured the threat of nuclear blackmail used by Pakistan.
3.25 pm: PM Modi’s address at Adampur airbase to be telecast shortly.
Also Read: Modi fact-checks Pakistan, visits Adampur, releases video & photo with S-400 in background