(The Pioneer)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Tuesday that the armed forces have ‘complete operational freedom’ to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, as he chaired a meeting with the top defence establishment. During the high-level meeting, which was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services, Modi affirmed that it is the national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism, government sources said. Modi expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also part of the meeting, which was held amid India weighing its options for countermeasures following the Pahalgam terror attack which left at least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.
The meeting came a day ahead of Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday scheduled to take stock of preparedness at Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). He had earlier chaired CCS meeting last week and slew of measures like keeping Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance and suspending visas of Pakistani nationals were announced.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, meanwhile, on Tuesday chaired a highlevel meeting which was attended by chiefs of three paramilitary forces and senior officers of two other security organisations, it was learnt.
The government on Tuesday also blocked Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s social media account following the terror incident. Asif, in a recent TV interview, admitted to Pakistan’s history of supporting and funding terrorist organisations.
As regards Home Secretary’s meeting, Director General (DG) of Border Security Force Daljit Singh Chaudhary, DG of National Security Guard Brighu Srinivasan and DG of the Assam Rifles Lt General Vikas Lakhera attended it, sources said.
