India grants armed forces full freedom to respond to Kashmir attack – Modi

India’s armed forces have been given full operational freedom to determine the method, targets, and timing of a retaliatory strike in response to the recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.

The decision was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a high-level national security meeting held behind closed doors, Caliber.Az reports via Indian media.

At the session, Modi stated that the armed forces now have complete authority to take appropriate action against those responsible for the April 22 attack near the town of Pahalgam, where gunmen targeted civilians, resulting in 26 deaths.

“Our national determination is to strike terrorism with a crushing blow,” Modi declared, stressing that India would not rest until all those responsible and their sponsors were held to account. He assured military commanders of the government’s full confidence in their professionalism and capabilities and pledged that the perpetrators would be pursued to “the ends of the earth” and subjected to punishment that would go “beyond their imagination.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan were among those present at the closed-door session, where potential military responses to the attack were the central topic. 

The strong remarks came amid warnings from Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who claimed that an Indian incursion was "inevitable" and could happen in the coming days. He also signalled that Pakistan was on high alert and might consider the use of nuclear weapons in the face of a direct threat.

Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated sharply since the deadly attack on April 22, when gunmen from the militant group Kashmir Resistance opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran valley, killing 26 people.

India has identified two of the suspected attackers as Pakistani nationals. Pakistan has denied any involvement and called for a neutral investigation.

Following the attack, India decided to revoke visas previously issued to Pakistani citizens effective April 27. In retaliation, Pakistan declared all Indian visas invalid, closed its airspace to Indian airlines, and suspended bilateral trade.

Additionally, India announced it was suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, which governs water-sharing between the two countries. In response, Pakistan’s National Security Council warned that any move to block or alter river flows would be treated as an act of war.

By Tamilla Hasanova