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Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the deadly terror attack in J&K’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives on April 22, and in view of cross-border links
Security personnel conduct a cordon and search operation after the recent Pahalgam terror attack, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag. (Image: PTI)
Amid rising tensions with India and ceasefire violations at the Line of Control, Pakistan on Wednesday said it has nothing to do with the Pahalgam terror attack and threatened a strong response if it is “provoked”.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the deadly terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22 and in view of cross-border links. A day ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the top defence brass that the armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the attack. Since then, a number of high-level meetings have taken place, including the second meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Here is all you need to know:
PM MODI MEETS ARMY CHIEF
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, a day after he told the top defence brass that they have “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
According to government sources, during a high-level meeting 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.
The sources said he expressed complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces. “They have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response,” a source quoted him as saying. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan was also part of the meeting.
CCS REVIEWS J-K SECURITY SITUATION
The CCS, chaired by Modi, is understood to have deliberated on the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir amid speculation on India’s possible retaliation. The meet was held at the Prime Minister’s Lok Kalyan Marg residence.
It was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, people familiar with the matter said. There is no official word yet on the CCS, held against the backdrop of growing indications of a retaliation against Pakistan.
This was the second meeting of the CCS after the Pahalgam attack. In the first on April 23, it decided a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operation land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties.
CABINET OBSERVES TWO-MINUTE SILENCE
The Union Cabinet observed a two-minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives on April 22. During the briefing, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw did not take any questions outside decisions taken by the cabinet and said matters of national security were not discussed in the cabinet meeting.
JAL SHAKTI MINISTER MEETS AMIT SHAH
A few days ago on April 25, Union Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting to discuss the future course of action on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960 with Pakistan, which has been kept in abeyance by India. The government said it is working on a strategy to ensure not a single drop of water flows from into Pakistan.
After the meeting, Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil said Modi has issued a slew of directives, and that the meeting was held to follow up on them and Shah made several suggestions at the meeting for their effective implementation. “We will ensure that not a single drop of water flows into Pakistan from India,” he said in remarks seen as tightening the screws on Pakistan.
(With PTI inputs)