Peace, prosperity were returning to Kashmir… terrorists and their backers want it to be destroyed again: PM Modi | India News

PM Modi said, “This attack in Pahalgam shows the desperation of the patrons of terrorism; displays their cowardice… at a time when peace was returning to Kashmir, there was a vibrancy in schools and colleges, construction work had gained unprecedented pace, democracy was getting stronger, the number of tourists was increasing at a record rate, people’s income was increasing, new opportunities were being created for the youth.”

“The enemies of the country, the enemies of Jammu and Kashmir, did not like that. The terrorists and the masterminds of terror want Kashmir to be destroyed again, and hence, they executed such a big conspiracy,” he added.

He said every Indian, irrespective of the state they belong to or the language they speak, was feeling the pain of those who have lost loved ones in the attack.

“I can feel that the blood of every Indian is on the boil after seeing the pictures of the terrorist attack…Friends, the anger that we, the people of India, feel, that anger is there in the whole world… The whole world stands with 140 crore Indians in our fight against terrorism,” said Modi.

“I once again assure the affected families that they will get justice, and justice will be done. The perpetrators and conspirators of this attack will be served with the harshest response,” added Modi.

He said the biggest strength in the war against terrorism was the unity and solidarity of 140 crore Indians. “We have to strengthen our resolve to face this challenge that has surfaced before the country. We have to demonstrate strong willpower as a nation,” he said.

In his first speech after the attack, the Prime Minister in Bihar on April 24 vowed action against the perpetrators, saying that India would “purse them to the ends of the earth”.

In an unusual turn, he then switched to English and said: “Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth. India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve.”

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has implemented a series of diplomatic and strategic steps, in response to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism.

After the terror attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans in Pulwama in 2019, PM Modi sent a clear message to Pakistan and the perpetrators of the attack. He had said the security forces had been given “full freedom” to choose the “time and place” for “future course of action”. The Indian Air Force launched a surgical strike in BALALAKOK in Pakistan a few days later.

Following the terror attack in Uri in 2016, when 19 soldiers were killed, PM Modi issued a warning to Pakistan’s leadership that the sacrifice of the jawans would not go in vain.

Meanwhile, in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, PM Modi also recalled the contribution of former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K Kasturirangan, who passed away on April 25.

“His contribution in lending newer heights to science, education and India’s space program shall always be remembered. ISRO attained a new identity under his leadership,” Modi said.