PTI photo

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday delivered a strong message on terrorism during the Border Security Force (BSF) investiture ceremony and the Rustamji memorial lecture, highlighting a shift in India’s security response under the current government. Shah said that Pakistan had committed multiple serious provocations in the past, but previous governments failed to deliver an appropriate reply. “We have always acted defensively to protect our people,” he said, praising the efforts of the police, army, and BSF. “But we never gave a fitting answer.” Shah credited the turning point to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came to power in 2014. He recalled the deadly Uri attack, where Indian soldiers were burnt alive, calling it a moment that demanded more than just condemnation. “For the first time, we crossed into terrorist hideouts and conducted surgical strikes,” Shah said. Later, after the Pulwama attack in which CRPF soldiers lost their lives, the Indian Air Force responded with airstrikes targeting terror infrastructure.Talking about the Pahalgam attack, Shah said, “In Pahalgam, innocent pilgrims were killed brutally by Pakistan-backed terrorists in front of their families after asking their religion.” “Prime Minister Modi had said from the land of Bihar, the response would be appropriate,” Shah noted. “Operation Sindoor is that response,” he added. He concluded by thanking the armed forces and offering his congratulations on behalf of the entire nation. “The world is now praising our army and India’s decisive stand,” Shah said, underscoring the government’s tough posture on national security and counterterrorism.