Lt Vinay’s father supports govt’s tough stand on terror

Rajesh Narwal, father of Lt Vinay Narwal — who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 — has supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tough message to Pakistan and the firm stance taken against terrorism.

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s address to the nation on Monday evening, in which he described India’s military response to the Pahalgam attack and warned Pakistan of severe consequences if cross-border terrorism continued, Narwal said on Tuesday the government's actions had his full backing.

In his speech, PM Modi had outlined Operation Sindoor, a major counter-terror operation in which Indian forces destroyed multiple terrorist hideouts across the border. He acknowledged the sacrifice of 26 innocent persons, including Lt Narwal, and said such "cowardly attacks" would not go unanswered.

Rajesh Narwal, visibly emotional yet resolute, said: “There is no compensation for the personal loss we have faced. My son Vinay is gone, and along with him, 25 other families have suffered irreparable loss. No one can ever fill this void. But the way our forces and leadership responded has given us some solace. Pakistan must understand that there is no room for further warnings.”

Quoting the PM, he said: “Even a single bullet from their side will now be considered an act of war. The PM rightly said this is neither a time for war nor for terrorism — but if war is required to eliminate terror, it would be.”

He endorsed the government’s firm approach: “I agree that war should be a last resort. But terrorism is a persistent curse. If war is required to eliminate it, then it is justified. Peace can only be achieved through strength.”

Sending a clear message, he said, “We are followers of non-violence, but if violence is imposed on us, we must respond with strength. The PM has made it absolutely clear — those who harbour and support terrorism, like Pakistan, have been warned. I support that wholeheartedly.”

He also praised the military’s decisive action: “A strong message has been sent to the terrorists and their masters. The backbone of terrorism has been broken. This timely operation shows what’s possible when our forces are given full freedom to act.”