27 September,2026 02:38 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Pic/PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the 2016 surgical strike and said the military operation demonstrated India's approach to responding to terrorism, as the country prepares to mark 10 years since the operation.
Addressing the 138th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi said the Indian Army carried out the operation on September 28-29, 2016, targeting terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC).
The Prime Minister described the operation as a significant event in India's response to terrorism and said it had drawn international attention to the country's approach.
PM Modi said the country was set to complete 10 years of the surgical strike and recalled the role of the armed forces in the operation.
"We talk about the achievements of the country. One such major historical achievement of Bharat is set to complete 10 years in a day's time. This achievement is the surgical strike. Ten years ago, on 28-29 September 2016, the Indian Army carried out a surgical strike on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. The world was astonished to see how our brave soldiers took action against terrorism by crossing the Line of Control (LoC). Our Jawans treated the terrorists and amazed the world. The surgical strike showcased India's anti-terrorism policy to the world."
The 2016 operation was carried out days after an attack on an Army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army announced the operation on September 29, 2016, saying its objective was to prevent armed groups from infiltrating across the LoC.
Modi said the operation represented what he described as India's response to the long-term impact of terrorism.
"Due to terrorism, India has felt pain for so long. Against that pain, our befitting reply was the surgical strike," he said.
Modi also said India had demonstrated in recent years that terrorist attacks would draw a strong response.
"In the last few years, India has repeatedly given a response that if terrorists lay their eyes on India, they will face strict action."
The Prime Minister linked his remarks to previous attacks in India and recalled incidents that had resulted in significant civilian casualties.
He referred specifically to the serial blasts in Delhi on September 13, 2008, and the November 26, 2008, terror attacks in Mumbai.
"Terrorist attacks have hurt Bharat for a long time. There was a time when serial blasts were a common occurrence in Bharat. On 13 September 2008, in Delhi's serial blasts, many innocent people were killed. Just a few weeks later, the massive 26/11 attack took place in Mumbai. Earlier too, after every terrorist attack, action was demanded against Pakistan, but not enough attention was paid to them. People used to wait for time to pass. Now today's Bharat is moving forward with a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and we are seeing its results as well..."
The Prime Minister also recalled the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai while discussing India's experience with terrorism.
The coordinated attacks began on November 26, 2008, and targeted several locations in Mumbai. The attacks continued for several days and killed more than 160 people.
Modi said the series of attacks had shaped India's experience with terrorism and reinforced the need for a sustained response.
His remarks came ahead of the 10th anniversary of the 2016 military operation, which has remained a significant part of the government's public messaging on India's counterterrorism approach.
Modi also referred to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States and noted that Indian nationals were among those who died.
"This year, it has been 25 years since the 9/11 attacks. The World Trade Center, where many Americans lost their lives, also saw many Indians among the victims. I remember when I went to America in 2014 after becoming Prime Minister, I paid my tribute to the Indian civilians who lost their lives."
The September 11 attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial aircraft by members of al-Qaeda. Two planes were flown into the World Trade Center towers in New York, another struck the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in Pennsylvania.
The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and led to a major transformation in international counterterrorism policies and security measures.
Modi's remarks on the surgical strike came as his government continues to highlight national security and India's military capabilities in public communications.
In previous Mann Ki Baat episodes, the Prime Minister has also discussed developments related to national security and defence. In June, for instance, he spoke about indigenous defence production and the induction of domestically designed and manufactured naval vessels.
(With inputs from IANS)
