Jammu, Sep 28: As the country observed the 10th anniversary of ‘Surgical Strike’ on Monday, the Prime Minister Narendra described it as a turning point in the country’s counter terror strategy asserting that its success still echoed a story.
The Prime Minister led the nation in recalling those astonishing moments which demonstrated the unfolding of a new resilient yet aggressive approach of the country to counter terrorism from across the border.
Described as the country’s “historic achievement”, the success story of “Surgical Strikes” found a mention in PM Modi’s monthly programme “Mann Ki Baat”, a day in advance of its 10th anniversary on September 27, 2026.
At the very outset of his “Mann Ki Baat” aired on last Sunday of the month i.e., September 27, 2026, the Prime Minister, while recalling nation’s achievements, asserted, “One of major, historic achievements of India is set to mark its 10th anniversary in just a day – this achievement is the ‘Surgical Strike’. Ten years ago, on September 28-29, 2016, the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan.”
He pointed out how India’s new counter-terrorism policy evolved ten years ago.
“The world was astonished to see the manner in which our brave soldiers crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to take action against terrorism. The surgical strike boldly demonstrated to the entire world a new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy,” PM stated.
He reiterated that the decisive response which formed the fulcrum of new anti-terror policy – beginning from “Surgical Strikes” of 2016 to Balakot airstrikes and to “Operation Sindoor” in 2025, sent a clear message across the globe.
“The ‘Surgical Strike’ was our decisive response to the long-standing pain India had endured due to terrorist attacks. 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,” the Prime Minister remarked.
He asserted that India long suffered wounds inflicted by terrorist attacks. PM Modi recalled that there was a time when serial blasts had become a common occurrence in the country.
“It was in this very month of September – specifically on September 13, 2008 – that many innocent lives were lost in the serial blasts in Delhi. Just a few weeks later, the massive 26/11 attack took place in Mumbai. Friends, in the past too, there used to be demands for action against Pakistan following every terror attack, but such calls were often not given due attention; time to pass by was simply awaited. Today, India pursues a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, and we are witnessing the results of that,” PM Modi stated.
He asserted that the year 2026 also marked 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Among the innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center in the US, the highest number of victims—after Americans – was that of Indians, he stated.
“I recall that after becoming Prime Minister in 2014, when I visited the US, I had reached New York to pay my homage to those innocent citizens. Today, once again, I extend my condolences to the bereaved families on behalf of crores of Indian citizens,” he reminisced.
PM Modi’s reference to Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism came two days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif used the UN General Assembly podium to rake up the Kashmir issue in his address at the world organisation.
Sharif raised the Kashmir issue, saying to ensure South Asia never reaches that precipice of the conflict of 2025 again, a just and fair solution to the Kashmir issue is required.
India has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s assertions on Kashmir made at the UNGA forum as well as on other UN platforms, saying Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.
India had launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 last year, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam attack that had killed 26 civilians.
In his “Mann Ki Baat”, the Prime Minister on Sunday had also touched another important topic – Census operation.
“A grand picture of the nation is currently emerging. This picture includes you, your family and even your neighbours. I am referring to India’s census. The first phase of this exercise is nearly complete across all states and union territories; data of over 32 Cr families has already been recorded,” the Prime Minister stated.
He noted that work was currently underway also in the remote, snow-clad regions of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand.
“Many inspiring experiences have emerged from these areas. In Uttarakhand, the census process began in the village of Mana in Chamoli; Mana is known as the country’s first village. The process there started with 83-year-old Purnima Rawat ji. In Bagori village, Uttarkashi, Hardev Singh Rana ji—who runs a homestay—entered his details himself using digital means,” PM Modi stated.
Describing the census as a national responsibility for all, he recalled that on August 15 also, he had urged the countrymen to take time out for that.
“The facility to self-register your census details is very convenient. You can register information about yourself and your family from your mobile itself. Along with Hindi, this facility is available in 16 languages. To do this, you need to visit the census online portal. The portal is se.census.gov.in… log in using your mobile number, enter your location, fill in the details regarding your family and submit the information,” he explained.
Asserting that the entire process would take about 15 to 20 minutes, he pointed out that for that one needed not to upload any document.
“After submitting the information, you will receive a special ID. You can share this ID with the census enumerator when they visit your home. After the information you provided is verified, it will become part of the census record. So far, more than 2 crore 60 lakh people have already entered their details on the census portal via mobile – completing the self-enumeration. It will take a little of your time, but it is important for the nation, as accurate information about you and your family helps create a precise picture of the country’s future,” he asserted.
‘10 years later, success still echoes a story!’
Recalls historical achievement in ‘Mann Ki Baat’
On Sep 28-29, 2016, Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan.
‘Surgical strike boldly demonstrated to entire world new example of India’s counter-terrorism policy’
‘It unfolded decisive response to long-standing pain India had endured due to terrorist attacks’
‘From Balakot airstrike to ‘Operation Sindoor’, India sent clear message’
‘If terrorists dare to cast evil eye on India, they will be met with befitting response’
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