New Delhi Post Desk | New Delhi
Amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy chiefs have separately briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the operational preparedness of their respective services. These high-level discussions indicate that India is actively weighing its retaliatory options.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh met with the Prime Minister at his official residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, on Sunday. The meeting reportedly focused on the IAF’s readiness and strategic capabilities in light of the recent attack. Just hours earlier, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi had spoken to the Prime Minister regarding the situation in the northern Arabian Sea.
Sources said the Indian Armed Forces have undertaken troop redeployments and heightened weapon readiness to counter any possible preemptive or retaliatory actions from Pakistan across multiple domains.
All frontline warships of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, including maritime patrol aircraft and support vessels, are currently deployed at sea as part of ongoing naval drills. Defence sources emphasized that the Navy is positioned to respond swiftly upon receiving executive orders.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the Sanatan Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav in Delhi, reaffirmed the government’s stance. “As Defence Minister, it is my duty to ensure the security of our borders alongside our soldiers. Anyone who dares to cast an evil eye on India will receive a befitting reply,” he stated.
Singh added, “You know Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s working style and resolve. Under his leadership, what the nation desires will be achieved.”
These one-on-one consultations follow a high-level meeting on April 29, where the military leadership met with PM Modi. During that meeting, the Prime Minister reportedly granted the armed forces full operational freedom to decide the mode, targets, and timing of a response.
Expressing unwavering confidence in the military, Modi emphasized that it is “our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism.”
In addition to the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and the chiefs of the IAF and Navy attended the April 29 meeting. Officials highlighted that individual sessions with the PM allow for in-depth discussions on specific operational objectives, resource requirements, and service-level challenges.
Meanwhile, intelligence inputs suggest that Pakistan has put its forces on high alert along the Line of Control (LoC). Approximately 30% of frontline troops are reportedly positioned at forward posts, with heavy weapon detachments on standby. Pakistan has also increased air defence activity and reinforced troop presence in key sectors.