Live Updates on Pahalgam Terror Attack: India Issues Warning to Pakistan Over Unprovoked Attacks Along the LoC According to Report
On the heels of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the devastating attack in Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the armed forces full operational freedom. This decisive move comes as the Indian government vows to take robust action against terrorism.
A Robust Response Promised
Amid rising hostilities, Prime Minister Modi has stated unequivocally that India will find, track, and punish every single terrorist and their accomplices involved in the attack. The Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for the known terrorist organization, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). This group has been linked to several high-profile attacks, such as the 2008 Mumbai attack and the 2001 attack on the Indian parliament.
The Looming Indian Response
In a high-level meeting with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, Prime Minister Modi expressed his complete trust in the military's capabilities. He further assured full political support for any action they choose to undertake.
Concurrently, the Indian government is responding to the attack in various ways:
- Reshaping the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB): The central government has restructured the NSAB and appointed former RAW chief Alok Joshi as its new head.
- Closing Down Tourist Sites: As a precautionary measure, 48 tourist sites in Kashmir have been shut down.
- Severe Restrictions: The Attari-Wagah border crossing has been closed, and further restrictions have been imposed on Pakistani nationals traveling to India.
- Economic Measures: India is exploring options to restrict trade with Pakistan, which could contribute to further economic strain.
The Indo-Pak Standoff's Potential Scenarios
Given the escalating tensions, there is concern about the possibility of military escalations, including skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) and broader tit-for-tat military actions. Additionally, the unrest threatens to derail recent progress in Kashmir, which had seen successful elections, prospering investments, and a flourishing tourist industry before this tragedy.
Pakistan's Countermoves
In response to India's actions, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian airlines and suspended trade with India. Pakistan has also expressed intentions to suspend other bilateral agreements, such as the Simla Agreement.
In an alarming development, Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has reportedly claimed that India may be planning a military strike on Pakistani soil within the next 24 to 36 hours. This statement was reported by Reuters, though the claim remains unverified.
- Amid the tense situation, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who now heads the restructured National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), is likely to play a crucial role in shaping India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
- In the face of the imminent threat, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff, along with the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, may need to reconsider their war-and-conflicts strategies given the full operational freedom granted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Politicians and policymakers, including Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and General Anil Chauhan, must navigate the delicate balance between politics and general news, as they make decisions that could significantly impact the Indo-Pak standoff.
- As Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has reported an alleged impending military strike by India on Pakistani soil within the next 24 to 36 hours, the Defence Ministry and the armed forces must remain vigilant and prepared for any potential war-and-conflicts scenarios.
