Terrorists Challenged India’s Nari Shakti, Brought Their Own Doom: PM Modi on Operation Sindoor

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that terrorists in Pakistan brought their own doom by challenging India’s “nari shakti” (women’s power), referring to the brutal Pahalgam attack where women watched helplessly as their husbands were killed. Speaking at the ‘Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan’ in Bhopal, PM Modi described Operation Sindoor as the biggest and most successful anti-terrorism operation in Indian history.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came during an event marking the 300th birth anniversary of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, where he linked the historical legacy of women’s strength to India’s modern response to terrorism.

“In Pahalgam, the terrorists didn’t just shed blood – they attacked our culture. They tried to divide our society. The terrorists challenged the nari shakti of India, and this challenge turned into doom for the terrorists and their sponsors,” PM Modi stated during his address.

The Prime Minister’s comments directly referenced the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, where 25 male tourists were shot dead by Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the scenic Baisaran meadow. The attackers specifically targeted non-Muslims, executing them while their wives and female companions watched in horror.

PM Modi revealed that Operation Sindoor was deliberately named to show respect to the women who were widowed in the terrorist attack. The choice of ‘Sindoor’ – a traditional vermillion mark worn by married Hindu women – symbolically honored those who lost their husbands to terrorism.

“Operation Sindoor is the biggest and most successful operation in Indian history against terrorism,” the Prime Minister declared, emphasizing the operation’s unprecedented scope and success.

The Prime Minister described how India took Pakistan by surprise during the retaliatory operation. “The camps were destroyed by penetrating hundreds of kilometres into Pakistan,” he stated, highlighting the deep cross-border strikes conducted by Indian forces.

According to PM Modi, the operation not only targeted and destroyed key terror camps inside Pakistan but also struck military bases before a ceasefire agreement was reached. The armed forces “reduced terror bases to rubble,” demonstrating India’s enhanced strike capabilities.

PM Modi emphasized that the operation caught Pakistani forces off-guard, indicating superior planning and execution by Indian military strategists. The element of surprise proved crucial in achieving operational objectives without significant resistance.

The cross-border strikes penetrated “hundreds of kilometres” into Pakistani territory, marking a significant escalation from previous limited military responses to terrorist attacks.

Speaking at the women’s empowerment summit, the Prime Minister connected the anti-terror operation to broader themes of protecting Indian culture and society. He characterized the Pahalgam attack as an assault on India’s civilizational values, not merely a security incident.

The terrorists’ targeting of married men while forcing their wives to witness the killings was presented as a deliberate attack on Indian family structures and women’s dignity.

The April 22 attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow saw Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists systematically execute 25 male tourists after identifying them as non-Muslims. The scenic location, popular among families and couples, became the site of one of Kashmir’s most brutal terrorist attacks in recent years.

The attackers’ methodology – forcing women to watch their husbands’ executions – added a particularly cruel dimension that resonated across India and influenced the government’s response strategy.

PM Modi’s choice to discuss Operation Sindoor at an event commemorating Queen Ahilyabai Holkar was significant. The 18th-century Maratha queen was renowned for her administrative skills, military leadership, and protection of Hindu culture and traditions.

Drawing parallels between historical and contemporary women’s strength, the Prime Minister positioned the operation within a broader narrative of protecting Indian civilization and values.

The operation showcased India’s enhanced cross-border strike capabilities and willingness to conduct deep penetration missions against terrorist infrastructure. The ability to surprise Pakistani defenses and conduct extensive operations demonstrated significant military modernization.

The targeting of both terrorist camps and military bases indicated a comprehensive approach to degrading Pakistan’s terror support infrastructure.