New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 138th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, recalled the 2016 surgical strike on the eve of its 10th anniversary and said India has clearly communicated to the international community that terrorism will not be tolerated and that terrorist attacks will receive a strong response. The 138th episode was broadcast on September 27, 2026.
The Prime Minister said that India is following a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. He referred to the surgical strike, the Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor as examples of India’s response to terrorist attacks.
PM Modi Recalls 2016 Surgical Strike
Recalling the surgical strike, Modi said it presented India’s position against terrorism before the world. He described the operation as a decisive response to the prolonged suffering caused by terrorist attacks.
The Indian Army conducted the surgical strikes during the night of September 28-29, 2016, targeting terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC), following the Uri terror attack. The dates of the operation are also recorded in official government material.
Message on Zero Tolerance Against Terrorism
Modi said that over the past decade, India has repeatedly conveyed that any attempt by terrorists to attack the country would be met with a strong response.
Referring to the broader counter-terrorism approach, he said the message that terrorism would not be tolerated has become clear to the world.
Surgical Strike Marked 10 Years
The surgical strike marked a significant moment in India’s response to cross-border terrorism. Government records state that the operation was carried out on September 28-29, 2016, in response to the Uri attack and involved strikes on terrorist launch pads across the LoC.
