Government Restructures National Security Advisory Council amid Disputes following Pahalgam Incident
New Delhi Shakes Up National Security Advisory Board After Deadly Attack
The Union government has given the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) a facelift, appointing Alok Joshi, a former Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as its new leader. Six more members, including retired military officers and ex-police officials, have been added to the team.
The recent additions to the board include Former Western Air Commander Air Marshal P.M. Sinha, former Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General A.K. Singh, and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna. Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, both retired members of the Indian Police Service, have also joined. B Venkatesh Varma, a retired IFS officer, completes the seven-member ensemble.
This move comes in the wake of the devastating Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 innocent lives, including a Nepalese national, and left many injured. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held an emergency meeting at his residence today to review the incident.
Alongside the CCS meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) were also convened at the Prime Minister's residence. A cabinet briefing is scheduled to take place at 3:00 PM today. The second CCS meeting mainly focused on the regional security situation in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.
In the briefing to the CCS, the linkages of the terrorist attack to cross-border sources were highlighted. It is crucial to note that the attack occurred after the successful holding of elections in the Union Territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.
Following the attack, the government announced several measures, including halting the Indus Water Treaty as a stern message to Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi presided over a meeting with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs.
During the meeting, PM Modi expressed his full trust and confidence in the capabilities of the Indian armed forces. He emphasized that the Indian Armed Forces have the complete operational autonomy to determine the method, targets, and timing of India’s response.
Recent reports suggest that Pakistan may have credible plans for military action within 24–36 hours in response to the attack [1][4].The Indian government is likely maintaining a heightened operational readiness [1][5]. Meanwhile, the roles and updated mandates of the revamped NSAB remain to be clarified in subsequent official announcements or statements.
Rajnath Singh, the Defense Minister, was part of the meeting presided over by Prime Minister Modi, following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The recently restructured National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) under Alok Joshi is expected to play a significant role in addressing war-and-conflicts situations, including the links of the attack to cross-border sources. The new members of the NSAB include civilians like B Venkatesh Varma, a retired Indian Foreign Service officer, and Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, both retired members of the Indian Police Service. The roles and updated mandates of the revamped NSAB are yet to be clarified in subsequent official announcements or statements.
