Army has resolved to wipe out terrorists, their harbourers: PM Modi in Mann ki Baat

In his Mann ki Baat address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke extensively about the Indian Army post the Pulwama attack in which over 40 CRPF personnel died.

Hailing the efforts of the army, Modi said the Indian Army has resolved to eliminate terrorism from the country.

"The army has resolved to wipe out terrorists and their harbourers. The martyrdom of these brave soldiers brought to the fore, through the media, touching, inspiring stories of their kin, which give hope and strength to the entire country, " he said.

He further said the country needs to unite and forget its differences of caste, communalism, and regionalism to fight terrorism.

"I respectfully bow to all the brave sons of the country who laid down their lives, protecting the honour of their motherland India. This martyrdom will keep inspiring us relentlessly to uproot the very base of terrorism; it will fortify our resolve". 

"We shall have to take up this challenge facing our country, forgetting all barriers of casteism, communalism, regionalism and other difference, so that, our steps against terror are firmer, stronger and more decisive".

He further hailed the Indian Army and said the alleged masterminds were killed within a 100 hours of the Pulwama attack. He added that the soldiers sacrificed their own lives to prevent civilian losses. 

Modi added that he would inaugurate a National War Memorial Monday in Delhi.

"The never-ending wait after the nation's independence for a War Memorial is about to be over. India not having a National War Memorial used to surprise me and really pain me. This new memorial has been built near India Gate and Amar Jawan Jyoti." 

He also remembered the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the terror attack and said, "Families of martyrs are living example of patriotism."

He finally concluded the 53rd episode of his monthly radio broadcast by wishing good luck to students who will be appearing for their annual examinations in the coming month.

Addressing the nation, he said, "Elections are the biggest celebration of democracy. In the next two months, we will be busy in the hurly-burly of the general elections. I myself will also be a candidate during this election. In maintaining respect for healthy democratic traditions, the next episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ will be broadcast on the last Sunday of the month of May."

"This means I shall take up our thoughts and ideas accumulated over the three months of March, April and entire May after the elections, with confidence anew," he said.

This was Modi’s second Mann Ki Baat address of the year.

(With inputs from agencies)