Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that India had informed Pakistan about the “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control in September 2016 before announcing it to the media.

“I said before India gets to know, we should call Pakistan and tell them what we did last night, so they can come and take the dead bodies if they have time,” Modi said. “We were calling them since 11 am but they were scared to talk on phone. At 12 we spoke to them and then told Indian media.”

Modi made the remark during a town hall discussion with the Indian diaspora at Central Hall Westminster in London on Wednesday. He justified the surgical strikes, saying that an attack on Indian soldiers deserved such a response.

“They [Pakistan] have put a terror export industry in place and kill our innocent civilians,” the prime minister said. “They do not have the courage to fight a war and try to attack us from behind. Modi knows how to give a response in their language.”

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Earlier in the day, the prime minister met his British counterpart Theresa May to discuss a range of matters, including separatism, cross-border terrorism, visas and immigration. He also accompanied Prince Charles to an exhibition that celebrated India’s role in the history of science and technology. The prime minister also unveiled a statue of 12th Century philosopher Basavanna on the banks of the Thames.