"We Will Hit Them": Jaishankar Says Terrorists Won’t Be Spared Just Because They Are In Pakistan

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that Operation Sindoor is still underway and will continue as a deterrent against future terror attacks like the one in Pahalgam on 22 April, in which 26 innocent people, mostly tourists, were killed, the Hindustan Times reported, citing Dutch broadcaster NOS. 

He emphasised that India’s response to cross-border terrorism will be direct and forceful.

“If the terrorists are in Pakistan, we will hit them where they are. So, there is a message in continuing the operation but continuing the operation is not the same as firing on each other. Right now, there is an agreed cessation of fighting and military action,” he said.

Operation Sindoor was launched on 7 May, targeting nine terror-linked locations in Pakistan-controlled territory.

The offensive led to four days of intense clashes, ending with a 10 May understanding between India and Pakistan to halt military action. 

“The operation continues because there is a clear message in that operation – that if there are acts of the kind we saw on April 22, there will be a response, that we will hit the terrorists,” Jaishankar said.

Asked if the operation is now dormant, he replied, “Put whatever word you want to, but I can tell you the message is clear and the message is act.”

Jaishankar described the Pahalgam attack as “barbaric,” intended to damage Kashmir’s tourism and incite religious discord.

He linked it to Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir’s comments endorsing the two-nation theory, which were made a week before the Pahalgam attack.

“There is clearly some connect between the views that were expressed and the behavior that was done," the minister said.