NEW DELHI, Apr 30: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given his military "operational freedom" to respond to a deadly attack in India-held Kashmir last week, which New Delhi has tried to pin on Pakistan, without offering any evidence to support the claim.
A full week after the Pahalgam attack, 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 Defence 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 our response to the terror attack", a senior government source told AFP.
No further details have been released from the meeting, which was held at the Indian PM's resident on Tuesday.
It comes a day after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of a possible Indian incursion, saying that the next few days were crucial and Pakistan was prepared for any eventuality.
Last week, Modi had vowed to pursue those who carried out the attack, as well as those who had supported it.
"I say to the whole world: India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backer," he said on Thursday. "We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth".
Following the high-level meeting, the Indian media began speculating about a "possible response".
The bellicose statements have prompted worries of a rapid spiral into military action, with several nations, including neighbouring China, calling for restraint and dialogue. �"DAWN
