IAF, Navy Chiefs Brief PM Modi as Armed Forces Prepare Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack

Amid rising tensions following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, top military commanders met Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend to discuss the country’s strategic and military preparedness. Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, met with the Prime Minister on Sunday to brief him on the IAF’s readiness and available retaliatory options.

Sources indicated that the discussions focused on operational preparedness and possible responses to any escalation by Pakistan. Troop redeployments and heightened weapon readiness are said to be underway across multiple fronts to preempt or counter any aggression.

Earlier the same day, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also spoke to the Prime Minister regarding the maritime security scenario, particularly in the northern Arabian Sea where India’s Western Naval Fleet is actively engaged in operational drills. Key warships, maritime patrol aircraft, and support vessels are reportedly at sea and on high alert.

These individual meetings come in the wake of a high-level security conference convened by Prime Minister Modi on April 29. During that session, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and the heads of all three armed forces, Modi reportedly granted “complete operational freedom” to the military to determine the mode, timing, and targets for a response to the Pahalgam attack.

Reaffirming his government's commitment to national security, Modi was quoted as saying that it is India's "national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism" and that he holds "complete faith and confidence in the professional abilities of the armed forces."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking publicly on Sunday at the Sanatan Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav in New Delhi, echoed the government's stance. “As Defence Minister, it is my duty to ensure the security of our borders along with our brave soldiers. It is also my responsibility to support our forces in delivering a befitting reply to anyone who threatens our nation,” he stated.

Military officials note that one-on-one consultations between the Prime Minister and individual service chiefs allow for frank discussions on mission objectives, potential targets, logistical requirements, and timeframes. “Such meetings create room for candid exchanges about service-specific capabilities and operational challenges,” a senior official said.

Meanwhile, across the border, Pakistan has reportedly placed its forces on heightened alert along the Line of Control (LoC). Intelligence inputs suggest that around 30 percent of frontline troops are being stationed at forward positions. Pakistan is also believed to have mobilized heavy weaponry, increased air defence readiness, and reinforced troops in sensitive zones.

The Indian government is expected to weigh its options carefully as pressure mounts for a decisive response, both to punish the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack and to deter future cross-border terrorism.