Modi's remarks prompt speculation over post-air strike action

Modi also asked the opposition not to malign India's armed forces.

"What our opposition leaders say become headlines in Pakistan newspaper today," Modi said, addressing a gathering here.

In a veiled reference to India's air strike in Pakistan, Modi said, "If one work gets over, our government doesn't sleep, but gets ready for another."

"We won't lag behind when it comes to taking big and bitter decisions," he said.

Referring to the 2008 attack at Ahmedabad civil hospital, Modi said, "should not those sitting in Delhi at that time have taught those sitting in Pakistan a lesson."

Minutes after his Pakistan counterpart Imran Khan said last week that captured IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman will be repatriated to India as a gesture of peace, Modi had said; Abhi abhi ek pilot project pura ho gaya. Abhi real karna hai, pehle toh practice thi.

Modi appeared to be making a reference to India's air strikes on terror camps in Pakistan when he said a "pilot project" was recently carried out and now the "real one" has to be done as the earlier exercise was a practice.