TERROR A WAR STRATEGY ADOPTED BY PAK, SAYS PM

The Prime Minister said Sardar Patel's wish was not to stop until "we got Pakistan-occupied Kashmir back, no one listened to him"

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said terrorism was not a proxy war but a deliberate war strategy adopted by Pakistan, and India will respond to it accordingly.

Speaking at a Gujarat government programme here, he also batted for buying Indian products to boost the country's economy.

Refusing to make any distinction between non-state and state actors in Pakistan, Modi said the neighbouring country is engaging in war by continuing to support terrorism.

"Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family) is our "sanskar" (value imbibed through tradition), we want happiness for our neighbours too, but if you challenge our strength, then India is also a land of heroes," he said, speaking at an urban development programme of the state government.

"We cannot call this a proxy war, as those who were killed after May 6 (during Operation Sindoor) were given state honours in Pakistan. Pakistani flags were draped over their coffins, and their military saluted them. This proves that these terrorist activities are not just a proxy war, this is a deliberate war strategy on their part," the prime minister said.

"If they are engaging in war, then the response will be accordingly," he added.

Modi was on his first visit to Gujarat after Operation Sindoor.

During his visit to Vadodara, Dahod, Bhuj, Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, he experienced "fervour of patriotism with the roar of success of Operation Sindoor", he said, adding that this feeling could be seen across the country.