New Delhi, May 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday termed the Pahalgam terror attack as a horrific form of a 75-year terror legacy.
Addressing the celebrations of 20 years of Gujarat Urban Growth Story in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, he said, This legacy of terrorism has continued for the last 75 years and the terror attack in Pahalgam is another horrific form of it.
Addressing the gathering, he said that over the past two days during his visit to Vadodara, Dahod, Bhuj, Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar, PM Modi had been experiencing the fervour of patriotism with the roar of success of ëOperation Sindoorí and flying tricolours.
He said that it was a sight to behold and this feeling was not just in Gujarat, but across every nook and corner of India and in the heart of every Indian.
“India had made up its mind to weed out the thorn of terrorism and did it with utmost conviction,” the PM said.
Recalling the first terrorist attack on India in 1947, right after the partition of India into three parts, he said one part was usurped by Pakistan harbouring the terrorists.
PM Modi recalled Sardar Patel’s vision, emphasising that the Indian Army should not have halted until PoK was reclaimed.
However, he said that Patel’s advice was not followed.
The PM said that despite playing diplomatic games, Pakistan repeatedly faced India’s military strength in war.
He said that thrice India’s armed forces decisively defeated Pakistan, making it clear that Pakistan could not triumph in direct military conflict.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s realisation of its limitations, PM Modi said that the neighbouring country resorted to proxy warfare.
He said that trained militants were infiltrated into India through systematic military training, aiming to target innocent and unarmed civilians, including those undertaking peaceful pilgrimages.
Highlighting India’s deep-rooted cultural values, emphasising the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which regards the entire world as one family, the PM said that India had upheld this tradition for centuries and continues to seek peaceful and harmonious relations with its neighbours.
He said that while India had always advocated for peace and stability, the repeated challenges to its strength had necessitated firm responses.
PM Modi said that historically, proxy wars had evolved, especially after May 6.
He said that given recent developments, referring to such acts as proxy war would be a mistake.
The PM said that nine identified terrorist bases were eliminated within 22 minutes, with full transparency ensured through camera documentation, so that no evidence could be questioned domestically.
He said that the recent incidents prove that this was no longer mere proxy warfare, but a deliberate and calculated military strategy of Pakistan.
PM Modi said that following the May 6 actions, terrorist funerals were conducted in Pakistan with full honours, their coffins draped in national flags, and even saluted by the Pakistani military – clear indicators that these were not isolated militant activities but part of a structured war approach.
He said that an equally decisive response would be given if such strategies were employed.
The PM said that India had always pursued progress and the welfare of all, offering assistance in times of crisis.
However, he said that despite these efforts, the nation had often faced violent retaliation.
Addressing the younger generation, PM Modi urged them to recognise how the country had been undermined over the decades.
Talking about the Indus Water Treaty which was put on abeyance, he highlighted issues related to water resources in J&K, pointing out that although dams were constructed on rivers, proper maintenance and desilting were neglected for 60 years.
He said that gates meant for water regulation were left unopened, leading to a drastic reduction in storage capacity – from full utilisation to merely two to three percent.
PM Modi said that Indians must receive their rightful access to water and said that while significant steps had yet to be taken, initial measures had begun.
Emphasising that India seeks no hostility and aspires for peace and prosperity, he highlighted the nation’s commitment to progress and contributing to global well-being.
