Don’t spare them whether on land, in the sky, or in the underworld… These were Modi’s orders

As is well known, India launched Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval recently revealed key details in the Discovery docuseries Declassified: Operation Sindoor, shedding light on what happened next, how Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted, and what instructions he issued to the Indian military.

According to Doval, PM Modi explicitly ordered that those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack must not be spared—no matter where they hide: “Whether on land, in the sky, or in the underworld, wherever they are… track them down.” Doval’s statements in the documentary offer a direct look at the firm resolve driving India’s military response to the April 22, 2025 terrorist attack.

Recalling his conversation with PM Modi following the incident, Doval noted that the Prime Minister was resolute in bringing the perpetrators to justice. “Whether they are on land, in the sky, or in the underworld… wherever they are, catch them,” the Prime Minister commanded.

Doval explained that this directive went beyond an immediate military response, reflecting the government’s long-term commitment to fighting terrorism. “When the Prime Minister stated that ‘Operation Sindoor’ remains ongoing, he meant that the fight against terrorism will not end until the very last terrorist is eliminated,” Doval said.

Doval also recalled PM Modi’s initial reaction upon returning from Saudi Arabia, where he was during the attack. “The Prime Minister returned, and the Foreign Secretary received him. We held a meeting right there at the airport. First, he wanted to know all the facts. Then the very first question he asked me was: ‘Who did this? Who is responsible for this? We must be absolutely clear about who carried out this act. I need this information immediately,'” Doval shared.

Modi instructed intelligence officials to immediately identify the culprits and establish their direct involvement. “Thanks to our intelligence agencies, who did a phenomenal job, we were able to arrive at a clear conclusion in a very short time,” Doval concluded.