Dahod/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said Operation Sindoor, which was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to avenge Pahalgam terror attack, was not just a "military operation" but a "reflection of Indian values".

Addressing a rally at Dahod in his home state Gujarat, Modi said, "If anyone dares to wipe off the sindoor of our sisters, their end is certain. That’s why Operation Sindoor is not just a military operation, it is a reflection of our Indian values and the deep emotions we hold close to our hearts. The terrorists could not have even dared to imagine how difficult it is to challenge Modi."

"They challenged 140 crore Indians… and that’s why I did exactly what you elected me to do. We gave full freedom to our armed forces — and our bravehearts destroyed their biggest terrorist camp in just 22 minutes, in response to their misadventure on April 22," the Prime Minister added.

Modi, a former Gujarat Chief Minister, compared how India's approach has remained completely contrasting to Pakistan since Partition in 1947.

The Prime Minister strongly pitched in strengthening the Armed Forces and economy in achieving his government's goal of "Viksit Bharat".

"After Partition, the newly formed country had just one goal, to hate India and to try to stop our progress. But we have only one goal - to keep moving forward, to eliminate poverty, and to build a Viksit Bharat.

"A truly developed India is only possible when our armed forces are strong — and so is our economy. And we are constantly working in that direction, with full dedication and determination," he said.

In his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi on Sunday said Operation Sindoor is not just a military mission and said "it is a picture of our resolve, courage and a transforming India and this picture has infused the whole country with a sense of patriotism and has painted it in the hues of the tricolour."

"You must have seen that in many cities, villages and small towns of the country, Tiranga Yatras were organised. Thousands of people came out holding the tricolour, to pay their respects and honour to the country's armed forces. In many a city, a large number of youth came together to become Civil Defence Volunteers… and we saw that the videos from Chandigarh went viral," he said.

Sharing his thoughts on the same, PM Modi showed the pictures of the sites that were destroyed in PoK - the Gulpur and Abbas camps in Kotli and the Barnala camp in Bhimber.

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

Following the same, India is sending a total of seven all-party delegations to different countries to apprise them of the significance of Operation Sindoor and expose Pakistan's role in harbouring cross-border terrorism.