If you fire bullet, it'll be answered with cannon ball: PM Modi's stern warning to Pakistan

PM Narendra Modi at the Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Mahasammelan in Bhopal on Saturday. (Courtesy: PTI photo)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday issued a stern warning to Pakistan and said that if the neighbouring nation fires a bullet, it will be answered with a cannon ball. He said that after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, sindoor (vermillion) has become a symbol of valour.

"India is a country of culture and traditions, and sindoor is a symbol of women power. It has now become a symbol of valour in the country. 140 crore Indians are roaring that if you (Pakistan) fire bullets at us, 'tab maan ke chalo, goli ka jawab gole se diya jaayega," he said addressing a gathering in Bhopal.

PM Modi described Operation Sindoor as India's biggest and most decisive strike against terrorism. "Operation Sindoor is the biggest and most successful anti-terror operation in the history of India. It stands as a symbol of the nation's strength. In Pahalgam, terrorists not only shed the blood of Indians, but also attacked our culture. They tried to divide our society and the biggest thing is that the terrorists have challenged the women power of India," he said.

On May 7, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base Muridke. The military strikes were carried out under Operation Sindoor two weeks after the massacre of 26 civilians in Pahalgam.

During the  Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Mahila Sashaktikaran Maha Sammelan event in Bhopal on the occasion of the legendary queen's 300th birth anniversary, the Prime Minister also virtually inaugurated the Super Priority Corridor of Indore Metro, Datia and Satna airports and laid the foundation stone of various developmental projects.

Ahilyabai Holkar, the revered queen of the Holkar dynasty in 18th-century Malwa, is remembered for her exceptional governance, commitment to social welfare, and contributions towards culture and spirituality. PM Modi released a postal stamp and a Rs 300 commemorative coin dedicated to Ahilyabai.

The Prime Minister also said the world is witnessing the capability of India's daughters in national defence today. "Even for this, the government took many steps in the last decade. From school to the battlefield, the country today has unprecedented faith in the bravery of its daughters," he said.

Referring to Lt Cdr Roopa A of the Indian Navy and her partner Lt Cdr Dilna K, who returned to Goa after successfully circumnavigating the globe in a sailing boat, the PM said two brave daughters of the Navy have completed a sea voyage of about 250 days.

"They circumnavigated the earth by travelling thousands of kilometres in a boat that runs not on a motor but on wind. Imagine staying at sea for 250 days," the PM said.