*‘Airstrikes were fitting reply to terrorists’: HM Shah on Pulwama attack anniversary*

New Delhi, Feb 14 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the airstrikes were a fitting reply to Pakistan after the Pulwama attack that killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on this day in 2019.

Addressing the conclusion of the 38th National Games, Shah, according to the news agency—, paid tributes to the CRPF personnel. He said the airstrikes that followed the Pulwama attack were Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “clear message” to terrorists.

“The airstrikes were a fitting reply,” he said, adding that it sent a message to terrorists worldwide not to target our security forces or borders.

Shah added, “On this day in 2019, we lost 40 of our jawans in Pulwama. Their sacrifice strengthened the security of our borders. I pay my heartfelt tribute to them. The airstrikes that followed were a strong response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi against terrorism.”

Home Minister said terrorism is the biggest enemy of humanity, and the entire world has united against it. Whether it is a surgical strike or an airstrike, the Modi government follows a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ against terrorists and is committed to their complete elimination, he said.

On February 14, 2019, a suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 40 personnel.

The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. In response, on February 26, 2019, the Indian Air Force said it conducted airstrikes targeting a JeM training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. This incident significantly heightened tensions between India and Pakistan—