Gandhinagar/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a veiled attack on the Congress for not listening to its tall leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel who had advocated taking back of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the Indian Armed Forces.

Speaking in Gandhinagar, Modi said, "No matter how strong or healthy the body is, even a single thorn can cause constant pain—and we’ve decided that the thorn must be removed. During Partition, Maa Bharati was divided into two, and that very night, the first terror attack on Kashmir was launched by the Mujahideen. Had they been eliminated then, these 75 years of suffering could have been avoided."

He added, "Sardar Patel wanted the military action to continue until PoK was taken back. But Sardar Patel's words were not followed... Mujahideen's distorted face was also seen even in Pahalgam."

During the post-Independence and post-partition crisis in 1947, when Pakistan-backed tribal fighters invaded Kashmir, Patel played a crucial role in ensuring India responded militarily after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession.

While Indian forces successfully pushed back the invaders, the conflict ultimately led to a ceasefire in 1949, leaving PoK under Pakistani control.

In the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, Modi said the Pahalgam terror attack can't be considered as a "proxy war" but a "deliberate war strategy" and asserted India's readiness for reciprocation if the hostile neighbour indulges in war.

"We can't call this a proxy war as those who were killed after May 6 were given state honors 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. If they are engaging in war, then the response will be accordingly," the Prime Minister said in an address to a gathering in the capital city of Gujarat, Gandhinagar.

"Whenever India and Pakistan went to war, our Indian Armed Forces—our bravehearts—defeated them in a way they would never forget. Realising they could never win a direct war against India, they turned to proxy warfare, providing military training and support to terrorists instead," Modi, a former three-term Gujarat Chief Minister, added.

'Eat roti or my bullets are there'

At a rally in Gujarat's Bhuj, Modi on Monday issued a warning to Pakistan giving a choice between peaceful living or strong retaliation from India to embrace.

The Prime Minister, who hailed the Indian Armed Forces for Operation Sindoor, said, "Terrorism is a source of income for the Pakistan military and government. Pakistan's youth will have to decide whether the way their country is functioning is benefiting them... Pakistan's common people and youth will have to come forward to free their country from terrorism. Live peacefully, have rotis or my bullets are there."

Operation Sindoor

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7, in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.

On Pakistan's appeal, India responded with a ceasefire on May 10 but Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of fresh retaliation if Islamabad goes astray.