As the government deliberates its next move following the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-level meeting with top military leaders at his residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the session, sources indicated that the Prime Minister assured the armed forces of complete operational autonomy — empowering them to independently determine the nature, targets, and timing of any retaliatory action.

Reaffirming his trust in the armed forces, Modi reportedly stated that the nation is committed to delivering a decisive blow to terrorism and fully supports the military’s capabilities to execute that mission.

The strategic meeting at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, saw the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

As part of the ongoing government response, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is set to meet again on Wednesday. This will be its second meeting since the April 23 attack, which claimed 26 lives. The CCS, which includes the Prime Minister, Defence, Home, Finance, and External Affairs Ministers, had earlier taken sweeping actions following the assault. These included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, halving diplomatic staff strength in Pakistan, expelling top Pakistani officials, revoking visas, and shutting down operations at the Attari-Wagah border. India also pulled back its diplomatic staff from Islamabad.

Home Minister Amit Shah has since directed all Indian states to ensure that no Pakistani national overstays their permitted duration in the country.

Reinforcing India’s hardline stance, PM Modi pledged strong retribution, declaring that every terrorist and their sponsors will be hunted down and held accountable. He vowed to pursue them relentlessly, wherever they may be.

In parallel developments on Tuesday, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a separate security review with senior officials. This meeting included heads of the Border Security Force, National Security Guard, and Assam Rifles, as well as top officers from other paramilitary and security agencies, underlining the government’s comprehensive approach to tackling cross-border terrorism.