Each teardrop shed after Pulwama will be avenged: Narendra Modi

Sending out a strong message two days after the Pulwama terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated that his government will fulfil its responsibility and that each teardrop shed after the incident will be avenged. Modi's comments came on a day when union home minister Rajnath Singh called an all-party meet in which a resolution stating the entire nation was 'speaking in one voice' was passed.

On Thursday, a suicide attack by a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist killed at least 40 soldiers in Pulwama following which the world closed ranks behind India and Pakistan found itself internationally isolated. A day after the incident, the prime minister had said the sacrifices of security forces will not go in vain.

“I want to assure each member of all the families who lost their loved ones that a due response will be given for each and every tear that has dropped. It is a new India with new policies and the world is going to experience it now. Whether those use the gun or those who give the gun, those who blow the bomb or those who provide the bombs - your brave security forces will not let anyone sleep in peace,” Modi said at a public meeting in Dhule, Maharashtra.

“India's policy has always been that we do not trouble anyone. But I want to make it clear that if anyone troubles us, we don't leave them either. Our security forces have done it before and even if it needs to be done again, no stone will be left unturned,” he added. Modi was in Dhule to inaugurate a number of developmental projects.

"Sacrifice of Pulwama martyrs will not go in vain. Our security forces have been given a free hand to punish the perpetrators of the attack," Modi said at another event in state's Yavatmal district. “All of us can feel the pain of families of the Pulwama martyrs. We understand your anger," he added.

Earlier in the day, the all-party meeting, a rare one after a terror attack, was attended by all the key political parties who said they stood united on the issue of countering terrorism. In the resolution passed at the end of the meeting, while the attack was condemned, the parties claimed that they stood “united” in their determination to fight the challenges arising from cross-border terrorism.

“India has in the last three decades faced the menace of crossborder terrorism. Of late, terrorism in India is being actively encouraged by forces across the border. India has displayed both firmness and resilience in dealing with these challenges,” a statement from the Union home ministry said.