In retaliation, launching a blistering attack on Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday warned its leadership that the Uri terror attack will not be forgotten and the sacrifice of 18 jawans will not go in vain.
Modi also met the chiefs of the Army and the Air Force along with the Vice Chief of the Navy on Saturday at his residence here. The meeting assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of the deadly Uri attack. Defence sources described the meeting as “routine”. The chiefs of the armed forces have a monthly meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss various issues, they said. Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral K B Singh met the Prime Minister. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba is out of town.
In his first public address after last Sunday’s deadly attack by terrorists from across the border, Prime Minister Modi said India will mount an all-out offensive to isolate Pakistan diplomatically to expose its activities in exporting terror, killing innocent people and spilling blood.
“Terrorists should hear out clearly that India will never forget the Uri attack.... I want to tell the leadership of Pakistan that the sacrifice of our 18 jawans will not go in vain,” Modi told a largely attended public meeting on the Kozhikode beach held on the sidelines of the BJP national council meet. Modi held Pakistan directly responsible for the Uri attack saying the country exported terrorists there due to which 18 soldiers sacrificed their lives.
The Prime Minister said there is one nation in Asia whose aim is to spread terrorism and is working towards ensuring that the 21st century does not belong to Asia.
“Every nation is holding only one country responsible for terrorism. Only one country in Asia is a safe haven for terrorists. This is the only country engaged in exporting terror across the world.
“Be it Afghanistan, Bangladesh or other nations, we have seen whenever the news of terror incidents come, terrorists have either gone from this country (Pakistan) or have settled there after committing the crime like Osama Bin Laden,” he said, referring to the al-Qaeda leader.
The Prime Minister said India had never bowed to terror and will never do so in future and will strive to defeat it. Modi said there were 17 attempts by fidayeen attackers sent by the neighbouring country which has been defeated by the brave Indian soldiers who have neutralised over 110 terrorists which are the highest in recent years. “Terrorism is enemy of humanity. Humanitarians all over the world have to unite and condemn terror,” he said. He assured the countrymen that India was safe and 125 crore people take pride in valour and bravery of its soldiers and security personnel.
“The leaders of the neighbouring country who read out scripts written by terrorists are singing the Kashmir song. The Prime Minister further added: “Pakistan’s public should ask its leaders as to why despite getting Independence together what is the reason India exports software and Pakistan exports terrorism.” He taunted the Pakistani government, asking: “The leaders of (our) neighbouring country used to say that they will fight for 1000 years, but where are they lost now? I want to inform Pakistan that before 1947 even your leaders used to salute this land.”
And he told Pakistan to look in its own backyard before coveting the territory of others. “Pakistan is aiming for Kashmir. They should first look at the land they have already captured — PoK, Gilgit and Balochistan.”
He also made this remarkable claim: “A day will come when the people of Pakistan will go against their own government to fight terrorism.” He said his government will strive hard to end poverty and make India prosperous as envisioned by Jan Sangh founder Deen Dayal Upadhyay whose centenary celebration starts on Sunday.