PM Modi grants full operational freedom to armed forces for retaliation

NEW DELHI: India has decided to deliver a military-level response to Pakistan for its alleged role in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi granting the armed forces complete freedom to decide when, where, and how to retaliate, as well as the scale of the operation, the country appears to be on a war-like footing. A cabinet-level committee responsible for national security decisions will review the situation this morning.

In a high-level meeting attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the chiefs of the three armed forces, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, the Prime Minister reportedly gave the green light to the military for a strong counter-strike.

It is understood that the Prime Minister expressed the nation's firm resolve to deal a heavy blow to terrorism and conveyed full confidence in the armed forces.

Shortly after the meeting, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also met the Prime Minister for further discussions.

Meanwhile, a crucial meeting was held at the Ministry of Home Affairs under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan. Top officials from the BSF, SSB, Assam Rifles, NSG, CRPF, and CISF participated in the discussion.

Today at 11 AM, the second meeting of the National Security Committee—chaired by the Prime Minister—will convene following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. A subsequent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, also chaired by the PM, is scheduled.

Terrorists may be caught soon

• Security forces are intensifying the manhunt for the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack. It is believed they are hiding in forest regions. In certain remote villages, individuals were reportedly seen carrying food at gunpoint, presumably for the terrorists.
• There is also intelligence suggesting that the terrorists had been present in Pahalgam in the days leading up to the attack. The NIA is investigating video footage believed to support this claim. The agency, which has officially taken over the investigation, is reconstructing the sequence of events, identifying suspects, and collecting forensic evidence. Several teams have been deployed across the Anantnag district.
• Anti-terror operations are currently being carried out across four key zones in Kashmir. Security forces have sealed 48 tourist centres, including Doodhpathri in Budgam and Verinag in Anantnag. There have also been exchanges of fire along the border areas in Kupwara and Baramulla, where Pakistan Rangers opened fire and Indian troops retaliated.
• The Congress party has called for a special session of Parliament in light of the escalating tensions. Other parties, including CPI, RJD, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress, have echoed similar sentiments.
• Meanwhile, India's government has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif due to provocative posts. The ban has been extended to several Pakistani government-linked accounts on the platform.