PM Modi give 'operational freedom' to forces after Pahalgam horror, affirms resolve to crush terrorism

PM Modi reaffirmed India's commitment to fighting terrorism with full force, expressing confidence in the armed forces.

​​Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the wake of recent terror-related developments has sent a strong message, reaffirming India's commitment to fight terrorism with full force.

"It is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism," PM Modi said, making it clear that the fight against terror remains a top national priority.

He further expressed "complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the Indian Armed Forces" and reiterated the government's full support.

PM Modi added that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting on Tuesday which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan. Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh also attended the meeting. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had met PM Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Monday. 

The meeting came a day after Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan briefed the Defence Minister on some decisions in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. The government has said that the terrorists responsible for the terror attack and the conspirators behind it will face severe punishment.

The government had convened an all-party meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack. Opposition parties have expressed their full support for any action taken by the government against the perpetrators of the terror attack. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met a day after the Pahalgam terror attack.

In the briefing to the CCS, the cross-border linkages of the terrorist attack were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in Jammu and Kashmir and its steady progress towards economic growth and development. The government has announced a series of measures, including putting the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance, to send a strong message to Pakistan for its support to cross-border terrorism.