New Delhi: In the wake of the deadly terror strike in Pahalgam that claimed the lives of 26 civilians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the armed forces complete operational freedom to decide the nature, timing, and targets of India’s military response. The directive came following a high-level security meeting held on Tuesday evening at the Prime Minister’s residence.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. According to sources, the Prime Minister reiterated India’s unwavering resolve to deliver a decisive blow to terrorism and expressed full confidence in the armed forces’ capabilities.
Soon after the meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat were seen arriving at the Prime Minister’s residence, further underlining the gravity of the situation.
Sources confirmed that the Prime Minister’s green signal effectively authorizes the military to act against those responsible for what is being described as the worst terror incident since the Pulwama attack in 2019. Intelligence agencies have attributed the Pahalgam assault to Lashkar-e-Taiba, operating through its proxy outfit, The Resistance Front. The group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Drawing parallels with the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, officials suggest India may once again resort to targeted action across the border, with satellite surveillance and strategic planning already underway.
In response to mounting evidence linking Pakistan-based operatives to the attack, India has begun briefing foreign diplomats, including those from the United States, Russia, China, Japan, and European nations.
On the diplomatic front, the Indian government has implemented a series of punitive measures against Pakistan. These include revoking all short-term visas for Pakistani nationals—with exceptions made only for Pakistani Hindus and individuals with long-term stay permits. As a result, nearly 1,000 Pakistani citizens have exited India via the Attari-Wagah border since the enforcement of the visa suspension last Thursday.
Further escalating tensions, India has also suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, a crucial 1960 agreement that governs water sharing between the two nations. Pakistan has termed the move “an act of war” and responded by suspending all Indian visas and halting bilateral engagements, including the Simla Agreement.
In a pointed public address, Prime Minister Modi declared that terrorism’s “evil agenda” will not succeed. “The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven. The will of 140 crore Indians will break the back of the masters of terror,” he stated, in a message widely interpreted as a direct warning to Pakistan.