Underlining that the nation’s “blood is boiling”, Modi said the “terror outfits and their masters” have made a big mistake and  they will have to pay a very heavy price for their actions.

The Prime Minister made these remarks at two separate events — at the flag-off ceremony of the Vande Bharat Express, India’s fastest train from Delhi to Varanasi, and at a public meeting later in Jhansi — after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

He appealed to leaders of all political parties not to “politicise” the terror attack because “the neighbouring country” — he did not name Pakistan — was trying to “destabilise” India.

It is my request to all my friends that this is a very sensitive and emotional moment and the nation stands united in its fight against terror. We should speak in one voice and rise above politics. The message which should go across the world is that we are one nation, one voice in our fight against terror, the fight which we have to win,” he said.

In Jhansi, where he laid the foundation stone of a Defence Corridor and other development projects, Modi said: “Suraksha balon ke liye aage ki karyavahi tai karne ke liye samay kya ho, sthan kya ho, swaroop kya ho, woh saare faisle karne ke liye izazat de di gai hai (security forces have been permitted to decide the time, place and mode of future action). Perpetrators of the Pulwama attack and the conspirators will definitely be punished for their act… Hamara padosi desh yeh bhool raha hai yeh nai neeti aur nai reeti wala Bharat hai (the neighbouring country forgets this is an India with a new policy, new practice).”

He said the “terror outfits and their masters” would be given an “appropriate reply for their barbaric act”. The sacrifices of the security personnel, he said, will not go in vain. “I want to give this assurance to 130 crore people of the country from this land of Jhansi, the land of the braves,” he said, adding that “the country has full faith in the courage and capability” of its security forces.

Commenting on Pakistan’s economy, he said the neighbouring country has been roaming around with a begging bowl but is not getting enough help from the global community by inflicting such terror attacks on India, it thinks that India will be in bad shape. Our enemies, those who are sitting in Pakistan, should realise that the path you have taken has led you to destruction. The path India has taken is taking the country to new heights.