Srinagar, May 15 : Stating that India has shown it will not hesitate to take bold decisions when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Operation Sindoor stands as the biggest counter-terrorism action in the country’s history.
Interacting with the soldiers of the Indian Army at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar, Singh said that they tried to wound India’s forehead in Pahalgam but india struck their chest.
“I pay my tribute to all the innocent civilians who lost their lives in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and to our brave soldiers who attained martyrdom during Operation Sindoor.”
The Defence Minister said he had not come only as a Minister, but as a proud citizen of India. “I may be your Defence Minister now, but before that, I am a citizen of India. I have come here to express my gratitude, not just as the Defence Minister, but as a fellow Indian,” he said.
Calling the current situation difficult and sensitive, Singh said he felt deeply honoured to be present among the soldiers. “Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, what you did during Operation Sindoor has filled the entire nation with pride.”
He praised the Army for its precise and well-calculated strikes across the border. “You decimated the enemies. You demolished Pakistan’s posts and bunkers with such strength that the enemy will never forget it,” he said.
Referring to the discipline shown by soldiers during the operation, Singh said, “People often lose their senses in moments of enthusiasm, but you showed wisdom. You remained calm, and with clarity and coordination, destroyed the enemy’s positions.”
Singh described himself as a messenger of the Indian people. “You can understand that I have come to you as a postman, bringing the message from 140 crore Indians and that message is: ‘We are proud of our armed forces.”‘
Singh said Operation Sindoor was not just a military name, but a national resolve. “This operation was the dream in the eyes of every Indian soldier — that we will destroy every terrorist hideout, whether in the valleys or underground bunkers. We will tear through their chest and return victorious.”
He added that operation Sindoor is a commitment india has shown. “We don’t just defend, we take decisive action when the time comes.”
Singh said this was the biggest-ever action taken by India against terrorism. “For the last 35 to 40 years, India has been fighting terrorism coming from across the border. Today, India has sent a clear message to the world that we can go to any extent to destroy terror.”
He said Pakistan’s attempt to destabilize India through the Pahalgam attack had failed. “They tried to wound India’s forehead but we have wounded their chest. They tried to break India’s social unity. Our reply has shown them our strength,” he said.
Calling out Pakistan’s long history of betrayal, Singh said that around 21 years ago, under Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s leadership, Pakistan had assured in Islamabad that it would not allow terrorism to operate from its soil. “But they deceived us then, and they continue to deceive us today. Now they are paying a heavy price for it and that price will only increase.”
He said that Prime Minister Modi has changed India’s policy towards terrorism. “Any terrorist attack on Indian soil will now be treated as an act of war.
PM Modi has made it clear terrorism and talks cannot go together and if there are talks, they will only be about terrorism and PoK,” Singh added.
Concluding his speech, Singh praised the unmatched courage of the Indian Army and assured them that the entire nation stands behind them with pride, respect, and full support.(KNS)
