Following the cessation of hostilities along the border, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to the Adampur air base in Punjab on Tuesday. He praised the Indian armed forces for their performance during the four-day conflict with Pakistan, describing their achievements as “unprecedented, unimaginable and amazing.” 

Modi – speaking in the backdrop of Russian origin S-400 missile system that together with indigenous air defence system created a wall to block most of the incoming aerial threats from the other side of the fence – stated that “Operation Sindoor has now drawn a clear ‘Lakshman Rekha’ for Pakistan” – an assertion that he had made in his address to the nation the previous day as well.

The choice of S-400 long missile system and the Adampur air base for Modi was not only to appreciate the stellar role the Indian Air Force played in the conflict, it was also meant to debunk lies peddled by the Shahbaz Sharif government that their armed forces had knocked down this air defence system and the establishment that houses two squadrons of Rafale and Mig 29 fighter jets.

It also signalled India-Russia military cooperation getting a fresh whiff of air since Moscow, for long, was unable to meet military requirements of Delhi due to its an unending war with Kyiv.

Attack mode

In his televised address the previous evening, Modi had emphasised India’s determination to respond decisively to terrorist attacks and State-sponsored terrorism, rejecting any attempts at nuclear blackmail. 

PM Modi donned a Western Air Command cap with its trademark ‘trishul’ embroidered on it. He also toured the IAF base and greeted uniformed officers and airmen for edging out Pakistan in the hostilities. The PM mingled with officers and airmen who responded with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai.” 

“When our armed forces take the wind out of nuclear blackmail, our enemies understand the importance of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’,” he said.

Modi also stated, “The tales of your valour will be etched in history forever. I salute our army, air force and navy personnel,” and added that those who support terrorism now understand that any aggression against India will lead to their own destruction.

Published on May 13, 2025