From Bihar to the world: PM Modi switches to English to vow ruthless pursuit of Pahalgam attackers and their backers

In an uncharacteristic shift from Hindi to English during a fiery address in Bihar’s Madhubani district, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued his strongest warning yet against terrorism, declaring that India would "identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers."

This was Modi’s first public statement following the brutal massacre in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, in which 26 people — including one Nepali national — were gunned down by Pakistani terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front, a proxy outfit of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The victims, all men, were tourists visiting the Baisaran meadows when they came under sudden fire.

Breaking from his usual preference for Hindi even on global platforms, PM Modi deliberately chose English for a part of his speech — a rare move aimed at ensuring his message reverberated across the world.

"Today, from the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth," Modi declared with firm emphasis.

The Prime Minister’s choice of venue was symbolically significant. Madhubani, a region where Maithili and Hindi dominate, has rarely witnessed a national leader switching to English. But Modi made clear that this was no ordinary moment — it was a global statement of intent.

"India’s spirit will never be broken by terrorism. Terrorism will not go unpunished. Every effort will be made to ensure that justice is done. The entire nation is firm in this resolve," he said to a roaring crowd.

Modi also acknowledged international support after the attack, stating, "Everyone who believes in humanity is with us. I thank people and leaders of countries who have stood with us."

The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which he chairs, announced a set of five decisive measures. Chief among them: India will hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance until Pakistan ceases its cross-border terror support. Additionally, the Integrated Check Post at the Attari border has been shut down with immediate effect, cutting off a vital corridor of bilateral interaction.

The Pahalgam attack was carried out by The Resistance Front — an outfit that emerged in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 and has since served as a façade for Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operations in Kashmir, helping it dodge international sanctions and scrutiny.