Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the 2016 surgical strikes against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan, describing the operation as a historic milestone that demonstrated to the world a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy.
Addressing the nation in the 138th episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi said the surgical strike highlighted the role of the Indian Army in carrying out the operation across the Line of Control (LoC).
“Ten years ago, on September 28-29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan,” the Prime Minister said.
He recalled how the world was astonished by the manner in which Indian soldiers crossed the LoC to take action against terrorism.
“The surgical strike boldly demonstrated to the entire world a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy,” PM Modi said.
Describing the operation as a decisive response to the suffering caused by terrorist attacks over the years, the Prime Minister said India had repeatedly demonstrated its resolve to respond to terrorism.
“The ‘Surgical Strike’ was our decisive response to the long-standing pain India had endured due to terrorist attacks,” he said.
From Balakot to Operation Sindoor
PM Modi said that India’s counter-terrorism approach had continued to evolve over the past decade, citing the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor as examples.
“Over the past decade – from the Balakot airstrike to ‘Operation Sindoor’ – India has repeatedly sent a clear message: if terrorists dare to cast an evil eye on India, they will be met with a befitting response,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India had suffered from terrorist attacks for a long time, recalling a period when serial blasts had become a frequent occurrence in the country.
“There was a time when serial blasts had become a common occurrence in the country,” PM Modi said.
Recalling Delhi blasts and 26/11
Referring to terrorist attacks in September 2008, the Prime Minister recalled the serial blasts in Delhi on September 13, 2008, in which several innocent people lost their lives.
“Friends, in the past too, there used to be demands for action against Pakistan following every terror attack, but such calls were often not given due attention; time to pass by was simply awaited,” he said.
PM Modi also recalled the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which took place just weeks after the Delhi blasts.
He said India’s approach to terrorism has changed and that the country now follows a “zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.”
“Today, India pursues a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and we are witnessing the results of that,” the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi recalls 9/11 victims
The Prime Minister also noted that 2026 marks 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Recalling the Indian victims of the attacks, PM Modi said that among the innocent people who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, Indians constituted the largest group of victims after Americans.
“This year also marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks,” he said.
PM Modi recalled his visit to the United States after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, when he travelled to New York to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the attacks.
“I recall that after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, when I visited the US, I had reached New York to pay my homage to those innocent citizens,” he said.
The Prime Minister once again expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the September 11 attacks.
“Today, once again, I extend my condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of crores of Indian citizens,” PM Modi said.
