PM Modi Encounters Omar Abdullah Following Pahalgam Terror Incident
Fresh Take:
Omar Abdullah, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister, locked horns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, delving into the unrest plaguing Kashmir following the Pahalgam terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists, predominantly civilians. This marked Abdullah's first meeting with the Prime Minister since the horrific massacre in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam on April 22, where innocents were targeted based on their religion.
The discussion at the PM's residence treaded the treacherous waters of Kashmir's evolving scenario and fortified security protocols. Fueling the tension, Pakistan's Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, with sponsorship and aid from Pakistan, perpetrated this devastating attack.
Sources hinted that both leaders emphasized maintaining law and order and ensuring justice for the victims, with no official statement issued after the meeting. The Pahalgam catastrophe, targeting tourists in a tourist hub, has escalated security across sensitive Kashmir areas significantly.
India has stepped up in the face of this cowardly act, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing to chase down the terrorists, their handlers, and backers to the ends of the earth. In a bold move, the Prime Minister handed operational control to India's armed forces to exact vengeance for the Pahalgam massacre.
Before this decision, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held a 40-minute meeting with the PM, following his briefing on the preparedness of India's armed forces to tackle any possible provocation.
India's diplomatic offensive against Pakistan continues with postal exchanges halted, the Attari-Wagah border closed, and the Indus Water Treaty left dormant. Moreover, all Pakistani nationals in India have been expelled.
Recently, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi held a security review meeting in Srinagar. The L-G demanded the Army to utilize whatever force necessary to bring the Pahalgam attack masterminds to justice.
In a firm message to terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers, security forces have been tearing down the homes of the terrorists involved in the attack. For instance, on April 29, the houses of Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh were destroyed in Tral and Bijbehara respectively. Both these LeT members were linked to the Pahalgam killings. So far, the security forces have demolished the houses of ten active Kashmir Valley terrorists.
Following the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously condemned the attack in a resolution, while a massive manhunt continues in the mountains of South Kashmir to apprehend the perpetrators.
Historical precedent suggests that India may be preparing for targeted strikes on militant infrastructure in Pakistan given the high civilian casualties. A larger military response compared to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes seems likely, according to analysts. The situation remains volatile, with Pakistan suggesting an imminent Indian offensive, while India insists upon self-defense measures.
[1] - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pakistan-alleges-india-planning-offensive-along-loc/article32782473.ece
[2]- https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/india-jet-strikes-pakistan-after-terror-attack-raises-chance
[3] - https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/j-k-police-gave-dates-of-possible-militant-action-ahead-of-pahalgam-attack- Najim-u-Din/article32770092.ece
- Omar Abdullah, despite the tense political climate in Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the escalating war-and-conflicts in the region.
- The meeting at the PM's residence focused on segregating the perpetrators from the general news, with an emphasis on ensuring justice and maintaining law and order.
- As a result of the Pahalgam disaster, India's President vowed to identify and punish not only the terrorists but also their handlers and backers in the ongoing battle against crime-and-justice.
- In light of the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent escalation of security measures, Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism and its impact on the politics of Kashmir remains a topic of general-news discussion.
