New Delhi: The Cabinet Security Committee (CCS), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, discussed the overall security programme in Jamu and Kashmir on Wednesday, as well as the rising tensions in Pakistan as the country responded to the Pahalgam terrorist attacks.
In the evening, Modi met with Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at his residence. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also attended the meeting during the meeting.
Wednesday’s meeting was the second CCS meeting after the Pahargam terrorist attack and on the day after the Prime Minister told India’s top military leadership that they killed 26 innocent tourists in India’s freedom of movement for the “mode, goal and timing” of the April 22 terrorist attack.
Meetings held by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jaishankar at the residence of Prime Minister 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.
As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan, the Director-General of the Indian Army’s Military Operations warned Pakistan DGMO on Tuesday to prevent Pakistan from unwarranted violations of the ceasefire along the control route. DGMOs of the two countries hold “regular” talks on the hotline every Tuesday.
Shooting exchanges between the two armies have been underway since Friday night at LOC, but Pakistan has also resorted to unprovoked shooting on the international border of the Pagwar department from April 29 to 30 (night). Officials said the Indian army responded quickly and proportionally to the shooting of small arms.
Meanwhile, the United States said it is actively monitoring the escalation between India and Pakistan and maintaining ties with both governments following the violent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam.
In a media brief in Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman Tammy Bruce was quoted.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Jaishankar on Wednesday. During the conversation, Jaishankar told the UN Secretary-General that “India is determined that the perpetrators, planners and supporters will be brought to justice”.
The Centre revamped the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) and appointed former R&AW chief Alok Joshi as chairman in speculation about possible retaliation from India for the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
The NSAB is an advisory body that provides advice to the National Security Council Secretariat and the NSA. New members appointed as NSAB are former Western Airlines Air Marshal Prime Minister Sinha, former Land Commander Lieutenant General Ak Singh and Backyard (Retd) Monty Khanna. Former diplomat B. Venkatesh Varma and retired IPS Rajiv Ranjan Verma were also appointed as members of the NSAB.
During the first CCS meeting after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, many punitive measures were taken against Pakistan, including a moratorium on the Indian waters treaty, closing the only land border cross-country operation in Attari and reducing the downgrade of diplomatic ties, given the cross-border links to the attack.
In a high-level meeting with the Defence Copper Columns on Tuesday, the Prime Minister asserted that the armed forces had “complete freedom of movement” to determine the pattern, goal and timing of India’s response. The meeting was attended by the Secretary of Defense NSA, Chief of Defense Staff Anil Chauhan and three service ministers.
Modi confirmed that the repressive blow to terrorism was “our national determination” and added that he expressed full confidence and confidence in the professional capabilities of the Indian armed forces.
