Indian army resolved to wipe out terrorists: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the Indian army has resolved to wipe out terrorists and their harbourers.

Addressing the nation in his monthly "Mann Ki Baat" over All India Radio before the coming national elections due in April-May, he referred to the February 14 Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

"You must have seen how within a hundred hours of the attack; retributive action was accomplished. The Army has resolved to wipe out terrorists and their harbourers," he said.

Modi said people across India are agonised and enraged by the Pulwama incident.

"All around, there is a deluge of strong feelings of sympathy for the martyrs and their family members. The outrage that singes your being and mine on account of the terrorising violence replicates itself in the collective inner psyche' of every citizen of the country. it also echoes in pro-humanity communities of the world, which sincerely believe in humanity."

The Indian PM paid glowing tributes to the 40 Indian paramilitary men who were killed in the Pulwama attack saying, "These brave hearts made the supreme sacrifice in securing the lives of a hundred and twenty-five crore Indians."

"Our armed forces have consistently displayed unparalleled courage and valour. On the one hand, they have displayed exemplary capabilities in restoring peace; on the other, they have retaliated in equal measure in a language the attackers understand," he said.

Modi asked the people to take up the challenge of fighting the menace of terrorism facing the country.

"Forgetting all barriers of casteism, communalism, regionalism and other difference so that, our steps against terror are firmer, stronger and more decisive," the Indian PM said.

Modi suspends 'Mann ki Baat'

Meanwhile, Modi today announced suspension of his monthly radio broadcast to the nation 'Mann ki Baat' for March and April in deference to healthy democratic traditions in the run-up to the coming parliamentary elections but said he would be back with the programme in May after the poll.

In his last radio address this morning before the elections due in April-May, Modi said, "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.