New Delhi, May 7 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday that the strikes carried out by Indian armed forces against targets in Pakistan and PoK is a befitting reply from India to those who dare to challenge our borders, military and citizens.

At a meeting of chief ministers, DGPs and chief secretaries of the states having borders with Pakistan and Nepal, Shah said the Operation Sindoor was launched against terrorist camps after specific inputs and it is a testament to the Narendra Modi government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism to the entire world.

A home ministry statement said the chief ministers who attended the meeting called by Shah, congratulated Modi and the three armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor.

Shah also said that without ignoring the Pahalgam terrorist attack, an appropriate response was given, sending a strong message to the world.

He said in the operation carried out by Indian armed forces, terrorist training camps, weapon bases, and hideouts of organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and other terrorist groups were completely destroyed.

Shah said the unity shown by the country at this time has boosted the morale of the countrymen.

He said after the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, Prime Minister Modi had said that the country would give a befitting reply to the perpetrators and supporters of the terror attack.

The home minister expressed gratitude for the prime minister’s firm resolve and decision regarding Operation Sindoor saying it was a befitting reply from India to those who dare to challenge India’s borders, military, and citizens.

The meeting was attended via video conferencing by the Lieutenant Governors of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and chief ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal.

Representative from the Sikkim government, senior officials from the home ministry, including Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Director of Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Deka besides others attended the meeting.

The Indian strike was carried out in response to the Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed.

In the meeting, Shah also asked the states to maintain strict vigil on any anti-national propaganda initiated by unwanted elements on social and other media platforms saying prompt action should be taken against the violators.

He said arrangements should be made for smooth operation of essential services like hospitals, fire brigade and uninterrupted supply of essential goods should be ensured.

The home minister has already directed chiefs of all Central Armed Police Forces to call back their personnel who are on leave, they said.

According to sources, Shah also reviewed the internal security situation in the country and asked the top security officials to be on alert and keep strict vigil.

The home minister termed Operation Sindoor as India’s response to the brutal killings of innocent people in Pahalgam.

He also said the Modi government is resolved to give a befitting response to any attack on India and its people and India remains firmly committed to eradicating terrorism from its roots. PTI ACB ZMN