Operation Sindoor: PM Modi Says India Brought Pakistan to Its Knees in 22 Minutes

Bikaner: In a bold and uncompromising address at a public gathering in Rajasthan’s Bikaner, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the success of Operation Sindoor, declaring it a decisive and historic response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Modi praised the Indian Armed Forces for their swift and powerful action, which he claimed dismantled nine major terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in just 22 minutes.

“Our government gave a free hand to all three armed forces. Together, they created such a trap that Pakistan was forced to go down on its knees,” said PM Modi, addressing a large crowd.

Referring to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, the Prime Minister emphasized that the retaliation was not just a message but a new form of justice. “22 tareekh ke hamle ke jawab mein, humne 22 minutes mein aatankiyon ke 9 sabse bade thikane tabaah kar diye… Duniya aur desh ke dushmanon ne dekh liya ki jab sindoor Barood ban jata hai to kya nateeja hota hai (In response to the April 22 attack, we destroyed nine major terrorist bases in 22 minutes. Enemies of the nation saw the consequences when ‘sindoor’ turns into explosive),” he declared.

Modi underlined that Operation Sindoor is the fierce face of a new and resolute Bharat. “This is not a game of show and revenge; this is a new form of justice. Operation Sindoor is not merely an expression of anger, it is the fierce and resolute face of a strong and capable India. This is the new identity of Bharat,” he said.

Sending a direct and stern message to Pakistan, the Prime Minister warned, “Every act of terrorism will extract a price. Their army and economy will pay for each drop of Indian blood spilled.” He further asserted that India would not allow even a drop of its rightful water to flow into Pakistan.

He also reaffirmed his government’s stand on diplomacy with Pakistan, stating that there would be no talks or trade unless the issue of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is addressed. “There will be neither trade nor talks with Pakistan; if talks, then only about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” he said.

The April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam saw five to six Pakistan-backed terrorists open fire at tourists in the Baisaran meadow, targeting non-Muslim civilians and killing 26 people, including a local pony guide. Initially, the offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility but later retracted.

In retaliation, the Indian military carried out Operation Sindoor on the night of May 6 and 7, striking nine major terror camps across the LoC. In response, Pakistan attempted airstrikes on Indian civilian and military targets, which were thwarted by India’s air defence systems. India then launched a second wave of strikes on May 9 and 10, targeting 11 Pakistani air bases.

Under immense pressure, Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart on May 10, requesting a ceasefire.

The operation, named after the symbol of Indian womanhood—“Sindoor”—has now become emblematic of a new doctrine of zero-tolerance against terrorism, and is being hailed as a turning point in India’s national security response.