Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to discuss the Indian Air Force’s operational readiness and the broader security situation following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, sources familiar with the matter said.
This high-level meeting occurred as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh vowed a decisive and forceful retaliation against those threatening India’s national security, reflecting heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The Navy chief, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, had similarly briefed the Prime Minister a day earlier.
These consultations come at a crucial juncture, as PM Modi has authorized the armed forces full operational autonomy to determine the nature, targets, and timing of India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike that killed 26 people.
Former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major commented that the briefings likely focused on real-time assessments of the military’s readiness and the evolving post-attack situation.
Meanwhile, ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army continued for the tenth consecutive day on Sunday, marking the most widespread shelling since the Pahalgam attack. Pakistani forces targeted Indian Army posts across multiple sectors along the Line of Control (LoC), including Kupwara, Baramulla, and Poonch. Indian responses have been restrained yet effective, officials said.
In New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to a robust security stance, stating, “It is my duty to support our soldiers and deliver a crushing reply to any threat to India.” He added that under PM Modi’s leadership, “what the people expect will be delivered.”
Amid the escalating conflict, Singh has canceled his trip to Moscow for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. His deputy, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, may attend instead.
Tensions along the LoC have intensified, with Pakistan deploying advanced Chinese-origin SH-15 howitzers and troops from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to border areas. On April 30, Pakistani troops also opened fire across the international border near Jammu — their first such act since the Pahalgam incident — in a calculated attempt to widen the conflict zone.
The frequency and scale of Pakistani ceasefire violations have surpassed anything seen since the 2021 agreement, marking a significant escalation. Indian military officials noted that Pakistan has launched coordinated attacks at multiple locations in a sustained manner since April 22.
India has already imposed sweeping countermeasures, including bans on Pakistani imports, closure of airspace, suspension of diplomatic ties, and the termination of the Indus Waters Treaty. In response, Pakistan has enacted reciprocal sanctions but neither side has formally withdrawn from the ceasefire agreement.
India’s leadership continues to signal a strong intent to respond. While Modi has pledged to pursue terrorists relentlessly, Rajnath Singh has made clear that not only the perpetrators but also their sponsors will face consequences — widely interpreted as a direct warning to Pakistan.
