Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a high-level security meeting on Tuesday, declared that the Indian armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to determine the mode, targets, and timing of their response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
The meeting, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the three armed services, focused on India’s potential retaliatory actions. According to government sources, Modi reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering resolve to deliver a decisive blow to terrorism.
“I have full faith in the professional capabilities of our armed forces. They are free to decide how and when we respond,” a source quoted Modi as saying.
The session took place as India considered various countermeasures following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where 26 civilians—mostly tourists—were killed in one of the deadliest terror strikes in Kashmir in recent years. The massacre has ignited nationwide outrage and calls for a strong retaliatory response.
Modi also vowed to relentlessly pursue those responsible for the attack and their supporters, clearly referring to Pakistan, which India has frequently accused of sponsoring cross-border terrorism. He pledged to bring them to justice with punishment “beyond their imagination.”
In line with its tough stance, the Indian government has already initiated measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty. Expectations for a forceful Indian response are high, given the Modi administration’s past actions, such as the 2016 surgical strikes after the Uri attack and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes following the Pulwama bombing.
Earlier on Tuesday, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan also held a separate high-level meeting with top officials from the paramilitary and other security agencies. While no official details were shared, the timing suggested it was related to the government’s evolving response strategy.
(With PTI inputs)
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