New Delhi: In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, tensions have sharply escalated between India and Pakistan, with growing speculation about possible military retaliation by India. While New Delhi has not officially indicated plans for war, Islamabad continues to engage in provocative actions, including repeated ceasefire violations along the border.
Sources suggest that India is preparing to respond decisively to the Pahalgam attack. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has granted the armed forces full operational freedom to act against terrorist threats. Indian troops are believed to be readying for a retaliatory strike, with high-level consultations underway.
Prime Minister Modi has held a series of meetings with top security and defence officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The urgency of these meetings has heightened speculation about imminent action, possibly before May 9.
In a significant diplomatic signal, Modi and other top Indian leaders have cancelled their planned visit to Russia for the May 9 Victory Day Parade, underscoring the gravity of the security situation at home. The Prime Minister and Defence Minister are directly overseeing reviews of the national security and operational response plans.
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While the nature of India’s response remains unclear—whether it will involve full-scale military engagement or targeted counter-terror operations akin to previous surgical strikes—official sources indicate that retaliation is considered inevitable.
The United States has urged both nations to exercise restraint. However, New Delhi is reported to have conveyed a firm position, asserting that punitive action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack is unavoidable.
In parallel developments, Modi held strategic discussions with senior naval officials regarding India’s maritime posture. The Indian Navy has reportedly been mobilised in the Arabian Sea, and the Prime Minister has ordered heightened security at all nuclear facilities.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi briefed the Prime Minister on naval readiness. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met with Modi for the first time since the Pahalgam incident to discuss the security situation in the region. The developments signal a potentially critical phase in Indo-Pak relations, with the coming days likely to determine the nature and extent of India’s response.