PM Modi gives full operational freedom to forces for Pahalgam attack response

30-Apr-2025

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Apr 29 granted the Indian Armed Forces "complete operational freedom" to respond to the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam which killed 26 civilians last week, government sources said.

The decision came during a high-level meeting convened by the Prime Minister at his residence in New Delhi.

The 90-minute meeting was attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs — Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.

According to sources, the Prime Minister reiterated that delivering a "crushing blow" to terrorism remained a matter of national resolve.

He also expressed complete confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces and told senior defence leadership they have "full operational freedom" to determine the mode, targets, and timing of any military response, sources said.