New Delhi [India]: In the aftermath of the devastating Pahalgam terror attack, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
This high-level meeting follows a critical briefing by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan to the Defence Minister regarding key military and diplomatic decisions to counter Pakistan’s involvement following the April 22 attack.
Context: Rising Security Tensions Post-Pahalgam Attack
The meeting also comes just days after an all-party meeting chaired by Rajnath Singh at Parliament premises, which discussed the security situation post-attack. The horrific incident at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam resulted in the death of 26 individuals, including one Nepalese national, making it one of the deadliest attacks since the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.
“The incident, occurring around 2 pm, involved brutal gunfire targeting mostly tourists,” officials reported.
In response, NIA teams have been on-site since April 23, actively investigating and intensifying evidence gathering. Meanwhile, the Indian Army remains on high alert, conducting multiple search and neutralization operations against suspected militants.
Diplomatic Fallout: Scaling Down Presence in Islamabad
Following a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting held on April 23, India has taken strong diplomatic steps:
- Withdrawal of Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
- Five support staff of the Service Advisors are also being pulled back.
- Overall diplomatic strength will be reduced to 30 from 55 at both High Commissions, effective May 1, 2025.
The CCS also confirmed that cross-border linkages to the terror attack were evident and highlighted that the strike occurred just as Jammu and Kashmir was witnessing political stability and economic growth through recent elections.