Thane (Maharashtra) [India], May 7 (ANI): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday hailed Operation Sindoor as a powerful response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, describing it as 'just the trailer' with the 'movie yet to come'.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the armed forces, Shinde emphasised that the operation has delivered justice for the 26 civilians killed in the brutal attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

'I thank PM Modi and our armed forces, who have done a terrific job... They have given a befitting reply to terrorists and Pakistan. Yeh toh trailer hain, picture abhi baaki hain (This is just the trailer, the picture is yet to come),' he said.

'I welcome the actions being taken under Operation Sindoor. I thank PM Modi for that... Innocent people were killed in Kashmir's Pahalgam in front of their families... Justice has been served to the people of the country,' Shinde further said.

Eknath Shinde underscored the government's unwavering resolve, adding, 'And again I thank PM Modi, and he will not spare Pakistan.'

He highlighted the symbolic significance of the operation, noting, 'Under [PM Modi's] leadership, this Operation Sindoor has taken place and has avenged those mothers and sisters whose 'sindoor' was taken away.'

The Maharashtra Deputy CM asserted that the strikes, which targeted nine terrorist sites, have garnered international support, with countries worldwide backing India's actions.

'Countries from all over the world are supporting it... It is just the beginning,' he said. Shinde also issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating, 'Pakistan stands nowhere before India, and if it does something, our armed forces will erase Pakistan from the world's map.'

Shinde's remarks come on the heels of the successful execution of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces. The operation, which utilised special precision munitions, led to the destruction of nine terror targets in a coordinated strike.

Sources revealed that the Indian forces targeted and obliterated four sites in Pakistan, including key locations in Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, while five other targets in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were also successfully hit.

The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force jointly carried out the operation, mobilising assets and troops.

The strikes on all nine targets were successful, sources further revealed. The Indian forces selected the locations to target top Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) leaders involved in sponsoring terrorist activities in India. (ANI)