Phalagam terror attack: Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh meets PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as tensions remain high between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.

The meeting came a day after Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, also briefed the Prime Minister on the security situation. On Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi had apprised Modi of developments in the Arabian Sea, highlighting the status of critical maritime lanes.

Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi held a high-level meeting with the top defence leadership, during which he granted the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to decide the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response.

PM Modi also asserted the nation's resolve to deliver a "crushing blow to terrorism."

The Centre also declared that the terrorists who carried out the attack and those who planned it would face stringent consequences.

Political parties across the opposition have pledged their full support for any government action against those responsible for the terrorist attack.

During the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) briefing, evidence of cross-border links to the attack was presented. The government has taken several strong measures to send a clear message to Pakistan regarding its role in cross-border terrorism, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty.