GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, April 29, said that India’s armed forces have full operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response to the recent Pahalgam attack. The assault had taken place in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaram meadow on April 22, as the invading terrorists killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
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According to reports, while chairing a high-level security meeting, Modi said it was India’s national resolve to “crush terrorism” and reaffirmed complete confidence in the professionalism of the armed forces. “They have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response,” Modi reportedly said.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Modi had also earlier vowed to bring those responsible for the Pahalgam attack to justice and directly accused Pakistan of supporting cross-border terrorism. He warned that the punishment would be “beyond their imagination.”
Relatedly, another meeting with chiefs of paramilitary forces and senior officers of other security agencies was chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on the same day. Although, the agenda of that meeting has not been officially disclosed.
In the past, following such acts of terrorism, India has responded to similar attacks with targeted military action. The 2016 Uri attack was followed by surgical strikes across the Line of Control, and the 2019 Pulwama attack led to the Balakot airstrike in Pakistan.
India has additionally taken diplomatic and administrative steps following the Pahalgam incident, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan. Tensions between the two nations remain volatile for the time being, as further operations have been expected to take place over the coming days.
