Defence Secretary Meets PM As India Prepares Its Response To Pahalgam Attack
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting with the Defence Secretary on Monday to discuss India’s response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives on April 22. The closed-door session, held two weeks after the assault, underscores the government’s focus on formulating a strategic countermeasure to the tragedy that shocked the nation.
The meeting follows a series of briefings by top military officials, including the Indian Air Force and Navy chiefs, who met with the Prime Minister over the weekend to outline the armed forces’ preparedness. While details of Monday’s discussion remain undisclosed, sources indicate it centered on potential retaliatory options against those responsible for the attack, widely attributed to Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.
The Pahalgam attack, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 revocation of Article 370, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. In recent days, Pakistani troops have engaged in unprovoked firing along the Line of Control for 11 consecutive nights, prompting measured responses from Indian forces. Amid these skirmishes, India has implemented stringent diplomatic and economic measures, including a ban on Pakistani imports, suspension of postal services, and restrictions on Pakistani ships docking at Indian ports.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has also been active on the diplomatic front, engaging with UN Security Council members excluding China and Pakistan to garner international support. The attack has drawn global condemnation, with leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing solidarity with India.
As India weighs its next steps, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver justice for the victims. The Congress party has publicly urged swift action, with AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal stating at a rally that the nation awaits decisive measures from the Prime Minister. The ongoing security deliberations signal India’s resolve to address the threat of terrorism while navigating a volatile regional landscape.