Jodhpur (Rajasthan) [India], May 18 (ANI): Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Sunday asserted that Operation Sindoor conducted by the Indian Armed Forces has made the 140 crore people of the country proud.

Speaking to ANI, Shekhawat said that Tiranga Yatras are being organised to express respect for the soldiers by rising above political commitment.

'Operation Sindoor conducted by the mighty Indian Army has definitely made the 140 crore people of the country proud. All the people expressed their respect towards the country's army,' he said.

'The country's army gave an appropriate reply to Pakistan... Tiranga Yatra is being organised across the country. Such Yatras are being organised to express respect for the soldiers by rising above political commitments. I have also come to Jodhpur to take part in it,' Shekhawat added.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 and struck nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in response to a ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam last month in which 26 people were killed.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Operation Sindoor has carved out a benchmark in India's fight against terrorism and has 'set up a new parameter and new normal'.

Addressing the nation, PM Modi also referred to India conducting a surgical strike in 2016 at terror launch pads along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and to the air strikes at a terror camp in Pakistan in 2019 and said that after the two operations, Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism.

PM Modi said the Indian Air Force, Army Navy, Border Security Force and India's paramilitary forces are constantly on alert.

'After the surgical strike and air strike, now Operation Sindoor is India's policy against terrorism. Operation Sindoor has carved out a new benchmark in our fight against terrorism and has set up a new parameter and new normal,' he said.

'First, If there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given. We will give a befitting response on our terms only. We will take strict action at every place from where the roots of terrorism emerge. Secondly, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail,' he added.

PM Modi said India will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism. (ANI)