Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali on Monday in the presence of armed forces personnel on board INS Vikrant off the coast of Goa and Karunakaran. Praising INS Vikrant in his address, Prime Minister Modi said that the aircraft carrier’s name alone was enough to give Pakistan “sleepless nights.”
Prime Minister Modi said, “A few months ago, we saw how Vikrant, just by its name, gave Pakistan sleepless nights.”
The Prime Minister also saluted the armed forces and expressed his happiness at celebrating Diwali with them. “Today, on one side is the infinite horizon, the endless sky, and on the other is the magnificent INS Vikrant, a symbol of infinite power. The glint of the sun’s rays on the ocean waters is like the Diwali lamps lit by brave soldiers.”
Prime Minister Modi said that the close coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force during Operation Sindoor forced Pakistan to surrender very quickly. The Prime Minister said, “When the enemy is in front of you, when there is a threat of war, the one who has the strength to fight alone always has the upper hand.”
He described the military as his family and said that Diwali should always be celebrated with family members. Prime Minister Modi said, “I too am having a good time with my family here. This Diwali is really special for me…”
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, a fortnight after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. The operation, which began with the aim of destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, later escalated into a full-fledged military conflict. This occurred when Pakistan targeted military installations in India.
In retaliation, India attacked several Pakistani air bases and installations, causing heavy damage to its radars, command and control centers, hangars, and runways.
Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh recently confirmed that at least five Pakistani aircraft were shot down during the operation.