Surgical strike showed India’s Counter-Terror resolve: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the 2016 surgical strikes, describing the operation as a landmark moment that, in his words, demonstrated a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy.
Addressing the nation in the 138th episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Modi said the surgical strikes, carried out by the Indian Army on September 28-29, 2016, showed India’s resolve to respond to cross-border terrorism. “Ten years ago, on September 28-29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan,” the Prime Minister said.

Addressing the 138th Episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...A major historical achievement of India is set to complete 10 years in just a day—the surgical strike. Ten years ago, on September 28–29, 2016, the Indian Army conducted a surgical strike on… pic.twitter.com/WXuoyI3D8K

— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2026

He recalled how the operation involved Indian soldiers crossing the Line of Control (LoC) to target terrorist launch pads. The Defence Ministry’s 2016 statement said the Army acted on specific and credible intelligence about terrorist teams positioned at launch pads along the LoC and sought to prevent infiltration and planned attacks. Modi said the operation “boldly demonstrated” a new approach to counter-terrorism and described it as a response to the attacks India had faced over the years.
The Prime Minister said India’s response to terrorism had evolved over the past decade, referring to the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor.“Over the past decade – from the Balakot airstrike to ‘Operation Sindoor’ – India has repeatedly sent a clear message: if terrorists dare to cast an evil eye on India, they will be met with a befitting response,” he said.The 2016 surgical strikes followed the September 18, 2016, terror attack in Uri, in which 18 Indian soldiers were killed. The Army subsequently announced that it had conducted strikes on terrorist launch pads across the LoC.
The Balakot airstrike followed the February 2019 Pulwama terror attack, while Operation Sindoor was launched in 2025 following the Pahalgam terror attack, according to government accounts. 

Addressing the 138th Episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Over the past decade—from the Balakot airstrike to 'Operation Sindoor'—India has repeatedly sent a clear message: if terrorists dare to cast a hostile eye on India, they will face a befitting… pic.twitter.com/eFtjaiQnDx

— ANI (@ANI) September 27, 2026

PM Modi Recalls Delhi Blasts, 26/11
PM Modi also recalled earlier terrorist attacks, including the September 13, 2008, serial blasts in Delhi and the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.“There was a time when serial blasts had become a common occurrence in the country,” he said.He said India’s approach to terrorism had changed and described the current policy as one of “zero tolerance” towards terrorism.The Prime Minister also recalled the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, noting that 2026 marks 25 years since the attacks.
Modi recalled his visit to New York after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, when he paid tribute to those killed in the attacks.He also remembered the Indian victims of the September 11 attacks and offered condolences to their families.“This year also marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks,” he said.The Prime Minister said he had visited the United States in 2014 and travelled to New York to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the attacks.The remarks came a day before the 10th anniversary of the 2016 surgical strikes, which the government has continued to cite as a significant episode in India’s response to cross-border terrorism.