Following heightened tensions with Pakistan after India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation. The address came after India launched a major military retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Operation Sindoor involved a coordinated tri-service strike on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the 25-minute operation neutralized nine key terror sites—four in mainland Pakistan and five in PoK—and resulted in over 100 terrorists killed.

Air strikes were conducted near Karachi, Lahore, Gujranwala, and Sialkot, targeting Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba bases. The Indian Air Force utilized Israeli HARPY drones to destroy air defence systems, while the Navy deployed carrier strike groups and submarines to Karachi waters. Among the terrorists eliminated were Mohammad Yusuf Azhar, the mastermind of the 1999 IC-814 hijacking, and other senior Lashkar and Jaish commanders. Indian agencies cited the funerals of these terrorists, attended by Pakistani military and political officials, as evidence of state collusion with terror outfits.

The May 7 strikes eliminated five most wanted terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, including Mohammad Yusuf Azhar and LeT terrorist Mudassar Khadian Khas alias Abu Jundal. Videos of Abu Jundal’s funeral showed Pakistan Army officials in attendance, with wreaths laid on behalf of the Army Chief and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. Other terrorists killed included Khalid alias Abu Akasha and Mohammad Hassan Khan. Pakistan responded with drone and missile attacks across Indian territory, prompting air raid sirens and blackouts in Indian cities like Chandigarh and Jaisalmer. India continued targeted strikes on key Pakistani air bases over the next 72 hours.

Air Marshal A.K. Bharti stated that the operation achieved its objectives, with all Indian pilots returning safely. He emphasized that the aim was to decimate terror camps while avoiding civilian casualties and aircraft during operations. PM Modi made it clear that terror and talks cannot go together, according to Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma. Modi stated that any talks with Pakistan would be on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He also asserted that water and blood cannot flow together and saluted the valor and courage of the armed forces.

Actor Suniel Shetty appealed for unity following PM Modi's speech. Concluding his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted the Indian Armed Forces and the pledge of every Indian to stay united. Modi highlighted the involvement of high-ranked Pakistan Army officers in bidding farewell to the slain terrorists, stating that this is proof of state-sponsored terrorism. He invoked Buddha Purnima, emphasizing that the path to peace goes through power.

Simultaneously, in other news, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed Ukraine's readiness for peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This came after a period of transatlantic tension regarding strategies for dealing with Russia. While Europe and Ukraine had sought a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, the situation was complicated by conflicting signals from the United States. Ultimately, Zelensky offered to meet Putin face-to-face despite the ongoing conflict and Russia's continued military actions, including drone strikes.