Pahalgam Terror Attack Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that armed forces would enjoy “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode of targets and timing of response” after an important security review meet in wake of Pahalgam attack.
According to the sources, the Prime Minister also underlined, “It is our national resolve to deliver a debilitating blow to terrorism”.
This message was conveyed to the Prime Minister by meeting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.
Earlier on Monday, Rajnath Singh had briefed PM Modi on the security readiness in J&K after the terror attack. This was soon on the heels of a meeting between Mr Singh and the Chief of General Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on military counter-measures against Pakistan after the shock terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
This one was among the ghastliest deadliest terror attacks of the valley since the revocation of Article 370. Twenty-five tourists and a local got shot dead cold at the Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on an April 22.
PM Modi’s big message on Pahalgam attack: ‘Forces free to decide when, how to hit back’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a key security meeting on Tuesday that armed forces would have complete operational freedom to determine mode, targets, and timing of India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
Modi expressed complete faith and trust in the professionalism of the armed forces. “They have been given complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response,” government sources quoted Modi.
On Tuesday, PM Modi chaired a meeting with India’s defence top brass, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and chiefs of the three armed forces.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also part of the meeting that assessed India’s response options after the Pahalgam terror attack.
‘They will face punishment their worst imagination could conjure.’
PM Modi, while condemning the attack, stated that his government would hunt down the terrorists and their sponsors, especially Pakistan, which has ever so often sponsored cross-border terrorism into India. He assured them they would get due punishment and said their punishment “will be beyond their imagination.”
Previously, the Modi government had conducted surgical strikes inside Pakistan after the 2016 Uri attack on its soldiers and the Balakot airstrike after the Pulwama incident against its CRPF personnel.
As a retaliation for the Pahalgam attack, India has taken multiple steps against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty with that country.
Earlier in the day, Union home secretary Govind Mohan had convened a high-level meeting attended by the heads of the three paramilitary forces and senior officers from two other security agencies. The agenda for the meeting has not been officially disclosed.
After the first wave of responses, India cancelled visas for nationals of Pakistan with exceptions for Pak Hindus and those granted long-term stay. The government also revoked medical visas.
All notified visas granted to Pakistan nationals expired on Sunday, April 27, with long queues of Pakistani citizens seen at various border crossings, especially the famous Attari-Wagah.
Since Thursday, when the cancellation order was issued, nearly 1,000 Pakistanis have left India, with the Home Minister addressing personally, requesting all Chief Ministers to enforce this cancellation.
India had put several other diplomatic restrictions on Pakistan, such as the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty-a significant water-sharing agreement under which Pakistan gets nearly 85 per cent of its share.
The suspension of the IWT, a 1960 agreement, was viewed as “an act of war” by Pakistan. Islamabad has since canceled all visas of Indian citizens and has expelled hundreds.
Pakistan also cancelled visas and suspended other bilateral agreements, including the Simla Agreement.
Then a top defense official warned of possible war with India.
In comments to a Pakistani media outlet Geo News – whose Youtube broadcasts have been banned in India -, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, “We are facing a crucial few days.”
‘Tooth And Nail’
In one of his first public comments on the Pahalgam attack, the Prime Minister vowed vengeance and said his government would not allow terrorism’s evil agenda to succeed.
“The time has come for us to obliterate whatever remains of that terror sanctuary. The will of 140 crores shall break the back of the masters of terrorism,” he said in remarks directed at Pakistan.
Ever since then, he has issued stern warnings to the terrorists that India, undeterred by terror, shall pursue them and hold accountable every one of those implicated in the dastardly attack.
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