Pak will pay hefty price for terror attacks: Modi

Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India had made it clear with Operation Sindoor that Pakistan would pay a hefty price for terror attacks, particularly its economy and armed forces.

- DHRUVAKSH SAHA

"Now, hot sindoor (vermillion), not blood, flows in Modi's veins," he said, adding there would be no talks with Pakistan on trade, but only on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. "And if Pakistan does not stop exporting terrorists, it would face economic ruin to the last penny. India won't allow Pakistan access to our rightful share of water. Playing with Indian blood will come at a steep cost. This resolve is India's commitment, one that no force in the world can shake," the PM said.

Addressing his first public rally since Operation Sindoor, the PM said in the border state of Rajasthan that the counter-terror operation was not about revenge but it was the new manifestation of justice.

"We gave full freedom to our armed forces, and they, in turn, brought Pakistan to its knees. In response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, we took 22 minutes to demolish the terrorists' nine largest hideouts," Modi said to thundering roars from the hundreds of thousands of people present.