Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday claimed that he informed Pakistan about the 2019 Balakot air strikes before disclosing it to the world. Speaking at a poll rally in Karnataka's Bagalkot, he said that "Modi doesn't believe in attacking from the back and fights openly face to face". The Prime Minister said, "I had asked the forces to call the media and inform them, but I said before that I will inform Pakistan through telephone about airstrikes at night and the destruction caused, but Pakistan people did not come on the phone. So I asked forces to wait, and after informing them, we later disclosed to the world about airstrikes that happened during the night."