In a powerful address highlighting the precision and determination of Indiaโs security forces, Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed Operation Sindoor as one of the most โprecise and successfulโ counter-terror responses in the countryโs history.
Speaking during the Border Security Force (BSF) Investiture Ceremony and Rustamji Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, Shah said the operation laid bare the deep connection between Pakistan and terrorism, reinforcing Indiaโs position on the global stage.
He described Operation Sindoor as a reflection of Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs unwavering political resolve, backed by accurate intelligence and the operational excellence of Indian forces. Shah noted that the operation was launched following a brutal terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, prompting a swift and fitting response from Indian forces.
Within minutes, the operation dismantled nine terrorist bases, including two major headquarters. Shah emphasized that while India initially targeted only terrorist hideoutsโavoiding Pakistani military and civilian areasโretaliatory actions were taken when Pakistan escalated its aggression.
He underscored that even then, India maintained its ethical stance by refraining from civilian casualties. Images of Pakistani military officials attending terrorist funerals, he said, served as undeniable evidence of the Pakistan-terror link, which had long been denied.
Shah praised the BSFโs evolution since 1965, calling it the “first line of defence” and an enduring symbol of patriotism. Tasked with guarding both the Bangladesh and Pakistan borders, the BSF has earned the nationโs trust through its resilience in deserts, jungles, and mountainous terrain.
He paid tribute to BSF personnel Mohammad Imtiyaz Ahmad and Deepak Chingakham, who laid down their lives during Operation Sindoor, affirming that their sacrifice will be remembered in the annals of Indiaโs defence history.
Highlighting the BSFโs technological innovationsโespecially in areas unsuitable for traditional fencingโShah pointed to its expanded role in internal security, anti-Naxal operations, disaster response, and counter-narcotics efforts. In the past five years, the force has eliminated over 78 Naxalites and seized more than 1.1 lakh kilograms of narcotics.
With a strength of 2.75 lakh personnel, the BSF now operates across land, sea, and air domains, and its members have earned over 1,300 medals, including prestigious civilian honours.
Shah concluded by reaffirming the governmentโs full support for the BSF and Indiaโs security forces, stating that Operation Sindoor had firmly established the countryโs strengthโmilitarily, technologically, and morallyโand served as a clear warning to those who sponsor terrorism.