Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday issued a firm and unequivocal message following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 people dead, most of them tourists. Chairing a high-level security meeting in New Delhi, the Prime Minister declared that the Indian armed forces have been given full operational freedom to decide the timing, method, and targets of India’s response.
“It is our national resolve to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism,” Prime Minister Modi said, reiterating his government’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. He also expressed complete faith in the professionalism and preparedness of India’s armed forces.
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 Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The top security brass reviewed India’s strategic options and ongoing intelligence assessments in the wake of the attack.
Operational Autonomy to Forces
Sources present at the meeting confirmed that the Prime Minister emphasized unrestricted autonomy to the armed forces in planning and executing any retaliatory action. The government, they said, will not impose any operational constraints on the forces’ judgment.
This approach mirrors India’s previous responses to major terror attacks, such as the surgical strikes following the 2016 Uri attack and the Balakot airstrikes in 2019 after the Pulwama incident. The current sentiment at the highest levels of government points toward a similarly decisive response.
Message to Pakistan: Punishment Beyond Imagination
In his remarks, Prime Minister Modi also issued a stern warning to those responsible and their sponsors. While not naming Pakistan directly, he made it clear that India holds the neighbouring country accountable for harboring and enabling terrorism against Indian civilians.
“The punishment will be beyond their imagination,” Modi said, referring to the perpetrators and their handlers. The language echoed past warnings following state-sponsored terror incidents, signaling that diplomatic patience has run its course.
Indus Waters Treaty Suspended
In a significant diplomatic move, the Indian government has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan — a decades-old agreement that governs the sharing of river waters between the two countries. This move signals a multi-pronged strategy by India to pressure Islamabad both militarily and diplomatically.
Internal Security Measures Intensified
Earlier in the day, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a separate security meeting attended by the chiefs of the CRPF, BSF, and ITBP, along with senior intelligence officers. Though the agenda of the meeting was not publicly disclosed, officials confirmed that discussions focused on strengthening internal security and border vigilance.
Interesting Read
National Outrage and Public Sentiment
The Pahalgam attack has triggered widespread outrage across the country. Citizens, political leaders, and public figures have called for swift and strong retribution. Survivors and families of the victims have urged the government to recognize the deceased as martyrs. Noted poet and screenwriter Javed Akhtar condemned the attack, stating that “these mass murderers must pay.”
On social media, the sentiment remains intense, with calls for justice and accountability. Reactions have also come from the entertainment industry and civil society, expressing grief and demanding government action.
The Road Ahead
With full freedom granted to the armed forces and high-level consultations underway, India appears poised for a calculated and powerful response to the Pahalgam attack. While operational details remain confidential, the message from the Prime Minister is clear — terrorism will not go unanswered.
