Kathmandu. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the Indian army “operational freedom” to respond to last week’s deadly attack in Kashmir, a senior government source told AFP.
The source said Modi told army and security chiefs in a closed-door meeting that India’s national resolve was to deal a major blow to terrorism. “The armed forces have full operational freedom to decide on the situation, target and timing of our response to the terrorist attack on civilians in Kashmir,” Modi said. A government source who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said Modi’s comments were consistent with reports in some major Indian newspapers.
Relations between the nuclear-armed countries have been strained since India accused Pakistan of supporting the deadliest attack in years in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22 that killed 26 people.
Islamabad has denied the accusations and both countries have since responded by firing into Kashmir, imposing diplomatic blockades, expelling citizens and ordering border closures. According to sources, Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed full confidence in the professional capabilities of the Indian armed forces and assured them of his government’s full support.
Government sources have released a video clip of Modi’s meeting with Indian Army Chief and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. Last week, Modi had vowed to take action against those who attacked and supported Kashmir’s Pahalgam. In his response on Thursday, Modi said, “I tell the whole world, India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their supporters. We will chase them to the ends of the earth.” Indian police have released posters of three people, two Pakistanis and one Indian, who are members of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a terrorist organization designated by the United Nations, and said they have been put on the “most wanted list.”
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