New Delhi (TDI): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his military “operational freedom” to respond to a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last week, which New Delhi has tried to pin on Pakistan, albeit without proof.
A full week after the Pahalgam incident, which claimed the lives of over two dozen tourists, Modi held a closed-door meeting with the heads of the three armed services, as well as Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
During the meeting, he told the armed forces that they had the “complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of Indian response to the Pahalgam attack”.
No further details have been provided from the high-level meeting, which was held at the Indian PM’s resident on Tuesday.
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It comes a day after Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of a possible Indian incursion, stating that the next few days were crucial and Islamabad was prepared for any eventuality.
Following the meeting, the Indian media started speculating about a “possible response”.
The bellicose statements have prompted worries of a swift spiral into military action, with several countries, including neighboring China, urging restraint and dialogue.
Late on Tuesday night, US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was likely to speak to the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India “as early as today or tomorrow”.
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She said Washington was reaching out to both countries regarding the Kashmir issue, and is expected to tell both parties not to escalate things any further.
Bruce said that Rubio was also encouraging leaders and foreign ministers from other countries to reach out over the issue.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held calls with Pakistan and India’s foreign ministers to express “deep concern at escalating tensions”, his spokesman said.
The United Nations chief “emphasized the need to avoid a confrontation that could result in tragic consequences. He offered his good offices to support de-escalation efforts,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
