Gandhi Nagar (Gujarat), May 17 (KNO): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that India avenged April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians, mostly tourists dead, by raising to rubble nine terror camps, including the headquarters of terror outfits Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba, deep inside Pakistan.
Speaking at a public gathering here, Shah, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “Under the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has responded forcefully. Operation Sindoor reduced the JeM and LeT headquarters to rubble.”
Asserting that this was the strongest message yet sent to terror elements and their backers across the border Shah said, “The Indian armed forces entered as deep as 100 kilometers inside Pakistani territory to carry out the strikes. Our army gave a clear message — if anyone raises an evil eye towards Indian citizens, they will not be spared. They heard India’s message through the sound of our bombs.”
The Home Minister revealed that terror camps in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke and many other places within Pakistan were targeted and destroyed. “These camps were breeding grounds for terrorists and stockpiled dangerous weapons meant to be used against India,” he said, adding, "Those who planned many international terrorist activities who were hidden in Sialkot and other terrorist camps; 'un sab ko hamare bomb ke dhamakon ke gunj ne ek spasht sandesh bheja hai' - if any terrorist activity happens with the people of India, the response will be twice in strength..."
Recalling the dark days before 2014, Shah said that terrorist attacks were frequent and largely went unanswered. “Before Prime Minister Modi took office, Pakistani terrorists would come, kill our soldiers and civilians, and return without any consequence. Now, every act of aggression is met with a resolute and strategic response,” he said, as per KNO.
Shah listed the retaliatory operations India has carried out in the past decade, citing the 2016 Uri surgical strikes, the 2019 Balakot airstrikes following Pulwama, and now “Operation Sindoor” as examples of India's new doctrine of proactive defense.
The Union Home Minister said that after India targeted terror infrastructure, the Pakistan Army retaliated by launching drone and missile attacks on civilians from Kutch to Jammu and Kashmir. However, he noted that India’s air defense systems, significantly bolstered under PM Modi’s leadership, intercepted and neutralized every incoming threat, ensuring no harm to Indian civilians.
In response, Shah said, the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched precision strikes on 15 Pakistani airbases without harming civilians. “Their air power was shattered. For the first time since 1947, Indian armed forces went 100 kilometers deep into Pakistan and dismantled terror infrastructure,” he said.
“Pakistan used to threaten us with atom bombs. Today, they are the ones afraid. India has shown that its resolve and strength cannot be challenged,” he added.
Hailing Prime Minister Modi as the “son of Gujarat and son of Bharat,” Shah said the nation is proud of his unwavering commitment to national security. “Under his leadership, India has not only witnessed unprecedented development but has also become a nation that strikes back with conviction and courage. Terrorists now know that they cannot escape justice,” he said.
Shah praised the bravery of the Indian armed forces and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to keeping every Indian safe. “India has changed. This is New India. And New India does not forget, nor does it forgive those who shed innocent blood.”—(KNO)