PM Modi: Armed Forces Have Full Freedom To Decide On Pahalgam Attack Response Strategy

At a high-level meeting on the Pahalgam terrorist attack on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given "complete operational freedom" to the armed forces to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the heinous incident that killed 26 civilians on April 22, multiple news agencies reported.

The PM has affirmed that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism as he expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces, ANI said in a tweet citing government sources.

"They have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response," a source quoted Modi as saying. The meeting was held by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of the three services.

PM Modi Vows To Punish Terrorists And Backers

PM Modi has vowed to trace every terrorist and the backers involved in the Pahalgam terror attack and punish them. He had said that justice would be given to the victims. He said that the terrorists will not be spared and will get a punishment bigger than they can imagine.

On April 22, the terrorists gunned down 26 people in the deadliest attack since the abrogation of Article 370.

The Resistance Front had initially claimed responsibility for the attack. As India pointed fingers at Pakistan and downgraded diplomatic ties, the terrorist organisatoin, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, denied its involvement.

In view of the incident, India has taken a series of measures targeting Pakistan, including putting in abeyance the Indus Waters Treaty with the neighbouring country. Earlier in the day, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan had chaired a high-level meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, PTI reported citing sources.

The Prime Minister's strong statements, combined with his government's firm stance on national security, have raised expectations of a strong response from India. During the earlier instances, the Indian government under PM Modi conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan following the 2016 Uri attack on army personnel and launched the Balakot air strike after the Pulwama attack that killed CRPF personnel.