“Will Hunt Them to the Ends of the Earth”: PM Modi

Patna, April 24: In a thunderous address from Bihar’s Madhubani district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued his strongest condemnation yet of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Calling the strike a direct assault on India’s soul, Modi vowed to pursue the perpetrators and their handlers “to the end of the earth”, asserting that terrorism would be met with the full force of Indian resolve.

“From this land of Bihar, I tell the world – India will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their backers. No one will be spared. Their punishment will go beyond imagination,” Modi said, drawing massive applause from the crowd. The Pahalgam attack, which occurred in the Baisaran area of south Kashmir, is being described as one of the worst in the region since the 2019 Pulwama incident. Modi began his speech by leading the public in a minute’s silence to pay homage to the victims, who included women and children.

As the nation reeled from the carnage, Modi’s declaration served not only as an assurance of action but also as a message of defiance. “This was not just an attack on unarmed civilians, it was an attack on India’s unity, our diversity, and our unbreakable national spirit,” he stated.

The Prime Minister’s remarks came amid growing public anger and political condemnation across party lines. The Congress Working Committee released a statement condemning the killings as a “cowardly act of terror” and held Pakistan responsible, echoing long-standing allegations of cross-border sponsorship of violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Modi chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security to discuss India’s response. Among the decisions reportedly taken was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty – a bilateral arrangement between India and Pakistan that has long been considered a diplomatic red line. The move signals a hardening of India’s stance and a readiness to escalate beyond traditional diplomatic measures.

International support has also poured in, with global leaders and diplomatic missions expressing solidarity with India. Modi acknowledged this in his speech, thanking “friends from around the world” who have stood with India in condemning the attack. “Everyone who believes in humanity is with us,” he said.

Security agencies have intensified operations across the Kashmir valley, with intelligence and paramilitary forces working to track down the attackers and their networks. Emergency helpline numbers have been issued for affected families, and enhanced security protocols have been deployed in tourist zones and sensitive areas.

Modi’s warning, delivered partly in English, was uncharacteristically sharp. “The willpower of 140 crore Indians will now break the back of the masters of terror” , he said. The comment, widely shared on social media and quoted in international media, underscored the gravity with which the Indian government views the incident.