Those who dare to harm our national unity will face the consequences: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that those who dare to harm the dignIndian national unity will face the consequences.

Describing the April 22 Pahalgam attack as a “gruesome act of terror, He said that the Indian armed forces launched targeted missile and drone strikes on terrorist hideouts and training facilities in Pakistan, in response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.

Narendra Modi said this while addressing the nation for the first time since the recent military escalation with Pakistan.

He opened his address at 8pm on Monday (local time) by expressing deep sorrow over the Pahalgam attack and extended condolences to the families of the 26 victims killed in the assault.

According to a press release revealed by the Indian PM's office, Modi said the cross-border operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was executed on May 6-7 and resulted in the elimination of over 100 militants, including high-ranking figures long linked to attacks on Indian soil.

In the nationally televised address, the Indian Prime Minister claimed the strikes also severely damaged infrastructure in Bahawalpur and Muridke, areas he identified as long-standing hubs of global jihadist networks.

"This was not just retaliation—it was a message," Modi said. “Those who dare to harm the dignity of our women or the unity of our nation will face the consequences.”

He said the violence aimed to fracture India’s communal harmony and accused Pakistan of nurturing the terrorist elements responsible.

According to Modi, following India’s strikes, Pakistan launched attacks targeting Indian civilian infrastructure and military bases. However, India’s air defense systems reportedly neutralised the majority of incoming drones and missiles. In response, India expanded its offensive, damaging key Pakistani military assets.

Modi said that on May 10, Pakistan’s military reached out through Director-General of Military Operations (DGMO) channels, signaling a desire to de-escalate. He claimed Pakistan had agreed to halt all terrorist activities and cross-border aggression.

India subsequently paused its counter-offensive but warned that military readiness remains high and any future aggression would be met with "firm and resolute" retaliation.

The Prime Minister declared Operation Sindoor as a new benchmark in India’s national security strategy, outlining a three-pillar doctrine: decisive retaliation against any terror attack, zero tolerance for nuclear blackmail, and no distinction between terrorists and the states that harbour them.

Modi further accused Pakistan’s military leadership of state-sponsored terrorism, citing reports of top generals attending funerals of slain militants. “Terror and talks cannot coexist. Terror and trade cannot run in parallel. Blood and water cannot flow together,” he said.

He also used the occasion of Buddha Purnima to invoke peace through strength, reiterating that India’s actions were aligned with global efforts to combat terrorism. “Zero tolerance against terrorism is the guarantee of a better and safer world,” Modi said.

The Indian government said the strikes prominently featured domestically produced weaponry, underscoring India’s growing capabilities in modern warfare.