Daijiworld Media Network - Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar, May 18: Home Minister Amit Shah, during a high-profile visit to his home state of Gujarat, declared that “Operation Sindoor” had redefined India’s national security posture, representing an unprecedented offensive stance against terrorism emanating from Pakistan.

Addressing a public gathering in Gandhinagar, Shah emphasized that for the first time since independence, Indian armed forces penetrated over 100 km into Pakistani territory, targeting key terror strongholds in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muridke.

“The message was unmistakable — Pakistan’s terror infrastructure is no longer safe,” Shah stated. “The world watches with admiration; Pakistan trembles with fear.”

Brutal Pahalgam Attack and India’s Swift Retaliation

Shah linked the military action to the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, where civilians were reportedly singled out and killed based on their religion.

“It was not just an act of vengeance, but a righteous and principled response,” Shah said, noting that Operation Sindoor led to the destruction of command centres of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and nine other terror training camps in Pakistan and PoJK. “Over 100 terrorists were neutralised, and their arms dumps and hideouts reduced to rubble.”

Cross-Border Escalation and Strategic Defence

Following India’s initial strikes, Pakistan retaliated on May 8 with coordinated military operations along India’s western border, spanning from Kutch to Kashmir. Shah asserted that thanks to India’s enhanced air defence systems, not a single Pakistani missile or drone managed to breach Indian territory.

In response, India launched precision airstrikes on May 9, targeting 15 strategic Pakistani military locations, including Noor Khan Airbase, Sargodha, Sukkur, and Malir Cantonment in Karachi.

“Our strikes were surgical and ethical — civilian areas were deliberately spared,” said Shah, adding that India’s response conveyed a powerful message: “Any harm to Indian lives will invite a fierce and focused response.”

The Modi Doctrine: Strength Over Silence

Shah placed Operation Sindoor in the lineage of India’s evolving security doctrine under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing earlier retaliatory actions like the surgical strikes post-Uri and Balakot airstrikes after Pulwama.

“Before 2014, cross-border terrorism was met with silence. That era has ended. Today, we respond with strength and clarity,” Shah affirmed.

He praised the seamless coordination between India’s intelligence agencies, political leadership, and armed forces, crediting them for the success of Operation Sindoor.

“This was more than a military action — it was a declaration of India’s new strategic clarity,” Shah concluded. “We have not only responded, we’ve rewritten the rules of engagement.”

In addition to national security discussions, Shah also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 702 crore in Gandhinagar, reinforcing the dual thrust of progress and protection.