Intense parleys are underway between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Service Chiefs as India weighs military options in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. On Sunday, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh met the Prime Minister to brief him on the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness and strategic posture. It followed a high-level meeting on Saturday between Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and the Prime Minister, reflecting the seriousness of the evolving security situation.
While officials have remained tight-lipped about the specifics, sources indicate that these interactions are part of a broader tri-service strategy session. Discussions reportedly centred on military preparedness, response options, and enhanced surveillance along both land and maritime frontiers.
During a joint address with visiting Angolan President João Lourenço on Saturday, Prime Minister Modi strongly condemned the Pahalgam attack, indicating some kinetic response in the offing. “We are committed to take firm and decisive action against the terrorists and those who support them,” he declared, while also expressing appreciation for Angola’s support and the African Union’s condemnation of the attack.
Echoing the Prime Minister’s sentiments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted the outpouring of international support. “The global community has responded with resounding solidarity,” he said.
With Islamabad reportedly on high alert over the possibility of an Indian counter-strike, authoritative sources have confirmed that the armed forces have been granted full operational discretion. “The Prime Minister has authorized the military to determine the timing, method, and scope of the response,” a senior official stated. This mandate was reaffirmed during a comprehensive security review chaired by Modi and attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and the three Service Chiefs.
In parallel with diplomatic measures—such as the suspension of postal exchange and a ban on Pakistani imports and shipping—India is reinforcing its military posture across domains. From May 3 to 7, the Indian Navy is conducting live-fire exercises in the Arabian Sea to validate combat readiness and test key naval systems under realistic conditions.
According to naval sources, these drills are being conducted within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, with frontline warships placed on high alert for any suspicious activity. Four navigational warnings have been issued for a designated area off the Gujarat coast, just 85 nautical miles from waters where Pakistan is concurrently carrying out its own naval exercises.
The Indian Coast Guard has also intensified deployments in forward maritime zones, especially near the International Maritime Boundary Line. Commercial vessels transiting the region have been advised to steer clear of the designated exercise areas.
Meanwhile, in what many observers view as a signal to New Delhi, Pakistan on Saturday announced a successful test of its short-range Abdali ballistic missile. Capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads over a range of 450 kilometres, the test was described by Pakistan’s military as part of a “routine training exercise” aimed at validating the missile’s accuracy and manoeuvrability.
Named after 18th-century Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali, the system is seen as a battlefield deterrent.
The combination of India’s military manoeuvres and Pakistan’s missile test has sparked concern among global actors, many of whom have called for restraint and urged both sides to avoid further escalation.
Team BharatShakti
