Pahalgam terror attack: Modi provides armed forces full freedom to act

In a stern message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the armed forces full operational freedom to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist massacre in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. “They (armed forces) have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response,” said PM Modi, according to government sources. “It is our national resolve to deliver a crushing blow to terrorism,” said PM Modi at a high-level meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan and the heads of the three armed services. The meeting discussed next steps by India to punish the perpetrators and sponsors of the Pahalgam terror attack. The meeting came amid frenzied speculation about India planning military retaliation against Pakistan for allegedly masterminding and enabling the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam carnage. Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has claimed “credible intelligence” that India is planning an imminent military strike within the next 24-36 hours.