Narendra Modi was upbeat when a senior minister met him on Thursday morning. Reports that Army units had returned safely after hitting+ terror launch-pads in POK clearly buoyed the PM, who was under attack for not delivering on his tough talk. The need to "teach a lesson" to the Pakistani establishment was being keenly experienced in the top rungs of the government in the light of inflamed public opinion following the Uri attack . "There is a need to impose some costs," a BJP member said a day before the cross-LoC strikes, summing up the mood. The action was instantly welcomed by party functionaries.
Modi's decision carries the risk of escalation of the showdown and BJP officials said the Centre was prepared for that possibility. Pakistan had been forced to bear the risks of adventurism and accept that henceforth the costs wouldn't be India's alone.
Apart from silencing critics accusing him of non-action, it should help BJP ahead of the UP polls where it is pitted in a tough contest with SP and BSP .
