Prime Minister Narendra Modi at big security meet gave armed forces complete operational freedom to decide mode, targets, timing of India’s response to the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.
During the high-level meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services, Modi affirmed that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, government sources said.
Notably, minutes after chairing high-level security meet, PM Modi also met Home Minister Amit Shah.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also part of the meeting, which was held amid India weighing its options for countermeasures following the Pahalgam terror attack which left at least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.
Modi has vowed to pursue the terrorists behind the attack and their patrons, a clear reference to Pakistan which has a history of sponsoring terror strikes in India, to the “ends of earth” and inflict the harshest punishment on them “beyond their imagination”.
The prime minister said the attack has drawn condemnation from the whole world, noting that international leaders have called him up, written letters and sent messages. Everyone has strongly condemned this heinous terrorist attack, and they have expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, he said.
Balakot air strike
In the past, the Modi government carried out surgical strikes inside Pakistan after the terror attack on army soldiers in Uri in 2016 and the Balakot air strike after the killings of CRPF personnel in Pulwama.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan had chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, sources said. There was no official word on its agenda.
