PM Modi's First Public Statement On Pahalgam Terror Attack: ‘We Will Identify, Trace, Punish Every Terrorist’

Pahalgam Terror Attack: In a stern warning to perpetrators of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that 'India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers'. PM Modi's remark came at his first public address in Bihar after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir which left more than 25 people dead.

"India will identify, trace and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth. India's spirit will never be broken by terrorism," said PM Modi, underlining that the act will not go unpunished. He assured that the government will take "every effort to make sure that the justice is done."

While thanking global leaders for their support on the terror attack, PM Modi said, "Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank the people of various countries and their leaders who have stood with us."

'Terrorists Will Be Punished, Bigger Than They Can Imagine'

Highlighting that terrorists will get punished in a way "bigger than they can imagine," PM expressed grief over the brutality with which innocent civilians were killed in Pahalgam. This was one of the worst terrorist attacks on civilians in India after 26/11.

"The entire nation is saddened by the brutality with which terrorists killed innocent civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22nd April...I want to say in very clear words that these terrorists and those who conspired towards this attack will get a punishment bigger than they can imagine. The willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the back of the masters of terror," he added on Thursday.

Pahalgam Terror Attack: India Takes Strict Diplomatic Actions Against Pakistan

Search operations are underway to nab the terrorists and others linked with the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Cabinet Committee on Security meeting on Wednesday. The meeting was also joined by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The Ministry of External Affairs later briefed media persons about the slew of measures approved in the CCS meeting in the wake of the dastardly terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

The Indian government announced strict diplomatic actions against Pakistan including the cancellation of Pakistani nationals' visas, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari Border, and the declaration of Pakistani military advisors Persona Non Grata. The government has asked all Pakistani nationals in India to leave the country in twenty four hours. Additionally, it has also expelled top diplomats and defence officials from Pakistan.

The full-scale diplomatic retaliation by India is the strongest since 2019, when the diplomatic strength was reduced by half from 110 to 55. This time, the High Commission's strength has been reduced to 30. Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had assured that the government "will take every steo necessary" to trace the perpetrators of terrorism.

Pakistan Reacts To Pahalgam Terror Attack

While the Indian government has underlined the cross-border links and involvement of foreign nationals in Pahalgam Terror Attack, Pakistan government has denied its involvement.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has rejected the claims and said that Pakistan "has absolutely nothing to do with it," reported Indian Express citing a Pakistani TV channel coverage. He also said that Pakistan rejects terrorism in all its forms and everywhere.