Pahalgam attack top updates: PM Modi gives military ‘full operational freedom’, say reports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met top defence officials and, according to reports, gave the military full operational freedom to decide India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

He called for a decisive stand against terrorism and expressed confidence in the armed forces.

Twenty-six persons were killed and 17 were injured in the attack on April 22.

The attack took place in the Baisaran area of Anantnag district. Militants fired at tourists, most of whom were from outside the state. The terrorists targeted tourists after asking their names to ascertain their religion, the police said. All but three of those who died were Hindu.

Here is more on this and other top updates:

• The prime minister on Tuesday held a high-level meeting with senior defence officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Several reports quoted unidentified government officials as saying that Modi gave the military full operational freedom to choose the timing, method and targets of India’s response. He described the country’s stance as a firm commitment to deliver a decisive blow to terrorism, and voiced trust in the capabilities of the armed forces. The Union Cabinet will on Wednesday morning meet for the first since the Pahalgam attack.
• The Indian government on Tuesday...

  Read more