PM Grants Full Operational Freedom to Armed Forces for Response to J&K Attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the Indian armed forces full operational freedom to decide the mode, targets, and timing of India’s military response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy of the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, killed 26 civilians in one of the worst incidents in recent years. Available evidence also points to Pakistan's involvement in the attack.

Sources revealed that Prime Minister Modi delivered this message during a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s national resolve to deal a decisive blow to terrorism, expressing complete confidence in the Indian military’s capabilities.

Shortly after the meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah and Mohan Bhagwat, the chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence. The message from the Prime Minister effectively authorizes military action against the terrorists responsible for the attack, which has been compared to the February 2019 Pulwama attack.

The attack, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba via The Resistance Front, has further strained relations between India and Pakistan. As part of the Indian government’s response, diplomatic restrictions on Pakistan have already been rolled out, including the revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a critical water-sharing agreement.

Prime Minister Modi has promised swift retaliation, stating that the time has come to eliminate the remaining terror havens, emphasizing that India’s resolve will break the back of terrorism’s masters. These remarks are seen as directed at Pakistan, following the deadly attack that shook the region.