Despite his public appearances throughout the day on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi only made indirect references to the aerial surgical strikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF) against the JeM in Pakistan — first at an event at Rashtrapati Bhawan, then at his rally in Churu and later at an event at ISKCON here.

Early in the day, he sought an apology from the audience at the Rashtrapati Bhawan for being late as he was “busy” with “some other work”. He had chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security at his official residence around 10.00 am before rushing to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, where President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2015-2018.

The event at the Rashtrapati Bhawan was to begin at 11.00 am, but started a little late.

“First of all, my apologies or being late. The programme started late as I reached here (Darbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan) late. I was busy in some other work and I was late,” he said while addressing the gathering.

During the day at a rally in Churu in Rajasthan, the Prime Minister again made an indirect reference to the action across the border by the Indian Air Force.

“Today is a day to pay homage to India’s bravehearts. Today, from the land of Churu, I want to assure the people of the country that the country is in safe hands,” he said.

The Prime Minister began the address by asking the people to raise slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and said he understood very well the sentiment, excitement and enthusiasm of the people present here.

Later in the day, at Delhi’s ISKCON temple, he said, “Manavta ke dushmano se dharti ko bachane ke liye prabhu ki shakti humare saath hamesha rehti hai. Yahi sandesh hum poori pramaanikta ke saath dusht aatmayon, asuro ko dene ka prayaas kar rahe hain.”