# PM Modi says 2016 surgical strikes set bold counter-terror example

2026-09-27T07:46:51+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday recalled the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme. He said the operation, carried out on September 28-29, 2016 by the Indian Army targeting terrorist hideouts in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, was a decisive response to the pain India had endured from terror attacks. Modi said the strikes presented a bold new example of India's counter-terrorism policy before the world and that the country follows a policy of zero tolerance against terrorism. The surgical strikes followed the September 2016 Uri terror attack on an Army camp. Modi said India has made clear that terrorism will be met with a strong and decisive response. He also referred to the Balakot airstrike and Operation Sindoor as repeated messages. The Prime Minister urged citizens to participate in the ongoing Census exercise and highlighted the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan anti-drug campaign. He paid tribute to late VHP leader Ashok Singhal on his birth anniversary.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

All four outlets carried the Prime Minister's Mann Ki Baat remarks as straight reportage, attributing his statements on the 2016 surgical strikes, the Census, and the anti-drug campaign. No source introduced independent context, critical questions, or alternative perspectives. The coverage is uniform wire-style reporting. Readers should note that the event is a political anniversary milestone near the 10-year mark of the operation, with the Prime Minister using the platform to reinforce the government's national security narrative.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com (neutral report) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/27/2016-surgical-strike-set-bold-example-of-indias-counter-terror-policy-pm-modi>
  Leads with Modi's description of surgical strikes as 'bold new example' without comment or criticism
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pm-modi-recalls-2016-surgical-strikes-on-mann-ki-baat-says-terrorism-will-get-decisive-response/articleshow/134516171.cms>
  Quotes Modi on Balakot and Operation Sindoor alongside surgical strikes, no analysis
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-mann-ki-baat-surgical-strike-september-27-2026/article71515461.ece>
  Straight attribution of Modi's statements, ends with temple remark, no framing
- english.mathrubhumi.com (neutral report) <https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/modi-2016-surgical-strikes-zero-tolerance-terrorism-mann-ki-baat-h8tlp1yf>
  Leads with 'decisive response' framing, otherwise identical to others

Tags: Census, Mann Ki Baat, Narendra Modi, surgical strikes, Uri attack
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