# PM Modi marks 10 years of 2016 surgical strikes in Mann Ki Baat

2026-09-27T10:06:54+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 6 independent outlets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the 2016 surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control, calling them a decisive response to cross-border terrorism. Speaking in his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme, Modi said the operation, which completes 10 years on September 28-29, demonstrated India's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and left the world astonished. He also cited the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor as examples of India's consistent response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. The surgical strikes were launched after the September 2016 Uri terror attack that killed 18 soldiers. Modi asserted that India's counter-terrorism approach has shifted to a proactive and deterrence-based stance. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at the UN General Assembly, separately said India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated India wants peace but will not compromise on national security.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All six sources reported Modi's remarks without critical scrutiny or opposition perspective, presenting his framing of the surgical strikes, Balakot, and Operation Sindoor as straight reportage. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, with no source questioning the government's narrative or including independent verification of the operation's details. The implied context is that this anniversary statement reinforces the government's long-standing counter-terrorism posture ahead of the 2029 general election cycle, where national security remains a key issue.

## Coverage

- siasat.com (neutral report) <https://www.siasat.com/surgical-strikes-bold-example-of-indias-counter-terrorism-modi-3548974/>
  Wire-style reproduction of Modi's Mann Ki Baat speech without commentary
- hindustantimes.com (neutral report) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/narendra-modi-mann-ki-baat-2016-surgical-strikes-uri-balakot-operation-sindoor-india-pakistan-101790492851311.html>
  Direct quotes from Modi, no critical analysis or external views
- thefederal.com (neutral report) <https://thefederal.com/category/news/2016-surgical-strikes-sent-clear-message-on-indias-response-to-terrorism-pm-modi-257834>
  Reports Modi's speech plus Rajnath Singh and Jaishankar statements, no slant
- telanganatoday.com (neutral report) <https://telanganatoday.com/pm-modi-recalls-2016-surgical-strikes-says-india-follows-zero-tolerance-policy>
  Factual summary of Modi's remarks and context on Pakistan's UN statement
- livemint.com (neutral report) <https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pm-modis-mann-ki-baat-top-quotes-from-surgical-strike-to-amla-ashok-singhal-and-most-beautiful-tribute-to-bapu-11790501389057.html>
  Bulleted quotes from Mann Ki Baat, no editorial framing
- news.abplive.com (neutral report) <https://news.abplive.com/news/india/pm-modi-recalls-2016-surgical-strikes-terrorism-example-india-counter-terrorism-policy-balakot-operation-sindoor-1868572>
  Direct reproduction of Modi's quotes, no independent analysis

Tags: Line of Control, Mann Ki Baat, Narendra Modi, Pakistan, surgical strikes, terrorism
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