Following the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the military “complete operational freedom” to respond, a senior government source told AFP on April 29.
The decision, made during a closed-door meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and security chiefs, allows the armed forces to independently determine the “mode, targets, and timing” of actions, raising fears of escalation with Pakistan.
🚨 Armed forces have “complete operational freedom” to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack: PM Modi. pic.twitter.com/ohXw2CgBTt
— Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) April 29, 2025India accused Pakistan of orchestrating the attack, alleging two of the three suspected militants were Pakistani, though no evidence has been publicly presented.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected the claims as “baseless,” calling for a neutral investigation and condemning terrorism in a call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Sharif also criticised India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning of threats to Pakistan’s water security for 240 million people. Guterres urged both nations to exercise restraint, expressing “deep concern” over rising tensions.
🎯🇮🇳 India’s next move? PM Modi gives military full control! ⚔️ In a bold signal, PM Modi has given the armed forces complete freedom to decide the mode, timing & target of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack 🔥 Is this a turning point in India’s counter-terror… pic.twitter.com/QIso8OmyzN
— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) April 29, 2025Cross-border hostilities intensified, with India reporting “unprovoked” Pakistani small arms fire along the Line of Control (LoC) for five consecutive nights, while Pakistan’s military downed two Indian drones violating its airspace.
Read: DG ISPR Presents Irrefutable Evidence of Indian-Sponsored Terrorism in Pakistan
Pakistan’s ISPR Director General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused India of sponsoring terrorism within Pakistan, claiming “irrefutable evidence” of Indian army officers supplying explosives, though no evidence was detailed. India has not responded to these allegations, and both sides’ claims remain unverified.
The Pahalgam attack, the deadliest in Kashmir since 2019, has fueled fears of a repeat of the Pulwama crisis, with India offering rewards for three suspects and conducting widespread arrests. As diplomatic measures falter, global leaders, including Guterres, call for de-escalation to avert conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
