India is closely reviewing its defence preparedness following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 25 tourists and one Kashmiri local. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently met the Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, to discuss possible retaliatory steps and the current security situation. This high-level meeting signals that the government is seriously considering military options.

PM Modi meets IAF and Navy Chiefs

According to sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Sunday at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. While there was no official statement, it is believed that the air chief updated the prime minister on the IAF’s current preparations and possible response options after the Pahalgam terror attack.

This meeting took place just a few hours after Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also spoke to the Prime Minister about the security situation in the northern Arabian Sea. At present, all key warships of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, along with patrol aircraft and support ships, are already out at sea as part of an ongoing military exercise.

Earlier, on April 29, a meeting was held at the PM’s residence where top military officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force were present. During that meeting, PM Modi had said that the armed forces have “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response” to the attack.

Modi also said he has “complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces” and added that it is “our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism.”

Rajnath Singh assures strong action

At a public event in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “As Defence Minister, it is my duty to ensure the security of the country’s borders along with our soldiers. It is my duty to join our armed forces in giving a befitting reply (‘muh tod jawab’) to those who dare to cast an evil eye on our country.”

He also spoke about PM Modi’s leadership and said, “You all know Prime Minister Narendra Modi very well; you are familiar with his work style and determination. You are also aware of the risk-taking ability he has learnt in life. I want to assure you that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, what you wish will happen (‘jaisa aap chahate hain, vaisa ho kar rahega’).”

An official told The Indian Express that these individual meetings between the service chiefs and the prime minister allow a free and frank exchange of inputs. “Such meetings provide space for discussion of specific targets and objectives, emergency requirements, service-specific likely challenges, and genuine timelines,” the official added. In reaction to India’s preparations, sources say Pakistan has placed its troops on high alert along the Line of Control (LoC). Around 30% of their frontline troops are now stationed at forward posts, and they have kept heavy weapons and air defence systems ready.

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