Army has resolved to eradicate terrorists, their harbourers: Modi

New Delhi:Asserting that the killing of 40 CRPF troopers in the February 14 Pulwama terror attack will keep inspiring the country "relentlessly" to uproot the base of terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the Army has resolved to wipe out "terrorists and their harbourers".

Speaking in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi urged the people to forget differences to make the government's steps against terror firmer. 

"This martyrdom will keep inspiring us relentlessly to uproot the very base of terrorism; it will fortify our resolve. We shall have to take up this challenge facing our country, forgetting all barriers of casteism, communalism, regionalism and other differences so that our steps against terror are firmer, stronger and more decisive," he said. 

The Prime Minister said that the armed forces have consistently displayed unparalleled courage and valour in restoring peace on the one hand and on the other they have retaliated with equal measure, in a language the attackers understand.

"You must have seen how within a hundred hours of the attack, retributive action was accomplished. The Army has resolved to wipe out terrorists and their harbourers." 

The martyrdom of these brave soldiers and the touching, inspiring stories of their kin give hope and strength to the entire country, Modi said.

Beginning his address, Modi said he was speaking with a "heavy heart" as "Mother India" had to bear the loss of many of her valiant sons who made the supreme sacrifice in securing the lives of 125 crore Indians. 

"In order to ensure that their fellow countrymen could sleep peacefully, these brave sons toiled relentlessly, day and night. As a consequence of the Pulwama terror attack and the sacrifice of the brave jawans, people across the country are agonized and enraged. All around, there is a deluge of strong feelings of sympathy for the martyrs and their family members.

"The outrage that singes your being and mine on account of the terrorizing violence replicates itself in the collective inner psyche of every citizen of the country; it also echoes in pro-humanity communities of the world, which sincerely believe in humanity. I respectfully bow to all the brave sons of the country, who laid down their lives, protecting the honour of their motherland, India," the Prime Minister said. 

Mentioning the fortitude displayed by Ram Niranjan, father of the slain Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper Ratan Thakur of Bihar's Bhagalpur, Modi said he has expressed his wish to send his second son too to take on the enemy, which is inspiring. 

He also talked about the indomitable courage of Meena, wife of Prasanna Sahu of Odisha's Jagatsinghpur, as she vowed to send her only son to join the CRPF. 

The Prime Minister also mentioned the names of the family members of other CRPF personnel who were killed in the carnage.

He also urged the youth to know and understand the fortitude and sentiments displayed by these families. 

In his address, the Prime Minister also spoke of the National War Memorial.

"I am contented to see it attaining completion in so little a time. On February 25, crores of we Indians will dedicate this National Soldiers' Memorial to our Armed Forces. On part of the nation, this will be a small step towards repaying a great debt."

Towards the end of the programme, Modi expressed confidence about winning the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and announced that the next episode of "Mann Ki Baat" will be broadcast on the last Sunday of May.

"Friends, elections are the biggest celebration of democracy. In the next two months, we will be busy with the general elections. I will also be a candidate. In maintaining respect for healthy democratic traditions, the next episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' will be broadcast on the last Sunday of May." 

The Prime Minister said that he will take up the ideas accumulated over March, April and May after the elections, with "renewed confidence". 

"With your blessings, once again I shall begin this series of 'Mann Ki Baat'... and shall keep doing it with you for years."

He added that connecting with the nation through the programme was a wonderful experience for him.