PM Modi vows to pursue Pahalgam terrorists, backers to the ends of the earth

In his first public address following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday declared that India would relentlessly track down the terrorists responsible and their supporters, vowing that retaliation would be swift—even if the perpetrators flee to the ends of the earth.

Speaking from Madhubani, Bihar, in eastern India, Modi switched from Hindi to English—signalling to the global community—and said, “Today from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world, India will identify tracks and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them. India’s spirit will never be broken by terror. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done… Terror will not go unpunished.” He added that India would go to the bitter end of the earth to respond to the attack on the nation’s faith.

The Prime Minister said he had the backing of 140 crore Indians and everyone who believes in humanity. He also thanked the countries and individuals who expressed their condolences after the April 22 attack in South Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives—25 of them Indian nationals and one from Nepal. Most of the victims were civilians.

He noted that although the nation is reeling from the loss, people are united in condemning the killings of men who spoke multiple languages—from Kargil to Kanyakumari. He emphasised that people around the world who believe in humanity stand with India.

At the outset, Modi paid tribute to the Pahalgam victims and observed a one-minute silence.

The Prime Minister was in Bihar to address Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and gram sabhas nationwide. On the occasion, he also inaugurated several development projects worth approximately ₹13,500 crore. The event marked 32 years since the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which gave constitutional status to panchayats as institutions of rural local self-government.

Modi’s speech came a day after India announced a series of strong measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, closing the integrated check post at the Attari border with immediate effect, withdrawing defence, navy, and air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals, and reducing the staff strength of the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.

India-PakistanJammu and KashmirLeTPahalgamterror attacktourists killed