PM Modi grants armed forces full autonomy to respond to Pahalgam attack

In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians — most of them tourists — dead, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given India’s armed forces unrestricted authority to determine the nature, targets, and timing of the country's response.

Chairing a high-level security meeting at his residence on April 29, Modi was quoted by top government sources as saying the military has “complete operational freedom” to act. “It is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism,” the Prime Minister said, reaffirming his full confidence in the armed forces’ capabilities.

The strategy meeting, held at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, was attended by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi.

This came ahead of a scheduled meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on April 30 — the second since the April 22 massacre. The CCS, which includes the Prime Minister and the ministers of defense, home, finance, and external affairs, convened the day after the attack to formulate a multi-pronged response.

Citing “cross-border linkages” in the attack, the Indian government moved swiftly. It suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, slashed diplomatic ties with Pakistan by halving mission strength, expelled top Pakistani diplomats and defense officials, canceled visas, and closed the Attari-Wagah border crossing. In a reciprocal move, Indian diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from Islamabad.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also directed states to ensure that all Pakistani nationals residing in India leave the country by the stipulated deadline.

Reiterating a stern warning to Pakistan, Modi declared that “India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers,” adding that the pursuit will continue “to the ends of the earth.”

Separately, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a parallel meeting with heads of India’s key paramilitary and internal security forces. Those present included Border Security Force DG Daljit Singh Chaudhary, National Security Guard DG Brighu Srinivasan, Assam Rifles DG Lt. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, and senior officers from the Sashastra Seema Bal and other agencies.

With the country still reeling from the Pahalgam attack, a rare moment of political unity emerged as leaders across the political spectrum pledged full support for the government’s next course of action.