PM Modi Briefed by IAF and Navy Chiefs as Forces Gear Up for Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to brief him on the IAF's preparedness amid discussions over possible retaliatory actions following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Although there was no official statement, it is understood that the meeting focused on national security and the strategic options available to the government.

The IAF chief’s interaction with the Prime Minister at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, came shortly after Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi had also briefed Modi on the security situation in the northern Arabian Sea. The Navy has been conducting ongoing drills in the region, and all frontline warships of the Western Fleet, including maritime patrol aircraft and support vessels, are currently deployed at sea. Defence sources have indicated that the Navy is fully equipped and prepared to act promptly once executive orders are issued.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the Sanatan Sanskriti Jagran Mahotsav in New Delhi, emphasized his responsibility in ensuring the country’s security. He reaffirmed that India would deliver a “befitting reply” to anyone attempting to threaten its sovereignty. He also expressed full confidence in Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, stating that under his guidance, the government would act decisively against those who harm the nation.

These high-level individual meetings between service chiefs and the Prime Minister followed a broader meeting on April 29 involving the top military leadership. During that session, Prime Minister Modi reportedly stated that the armed forces had "complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of our response" to the Pahalgam terror attack. He also expressed his full confidence in the armed forces' professional capabilities and declared that India was firmly committed to delivering a strong response to terrorism.

That meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi. According to defence officials, such individual meetings between the Prime Minister and service chiefs allow for frank and detailed discussions. These exchanges help in planning specific objectives, identifying emergency requirements, discussing service-specific operational challenges, and setting realistic timelines.

As India prepares its response, developments across the border have raised concerns. Pakistan has reportedly placed its troops on high alert along the Line of Control. Intelligence inputs suggest that about 30 percent of the troops from its frontline units have been deployed to forward posts. Additionally, the Pakistan Army has reportedly prepared heavy weapons detachments and enhanced air defence measures in recent days. There has also been troop reinforcement.

Indian defence sources have confirmed that corresponding troop redeployments and heightened weapon readiness have been implemented on the Indian side. These actions are intended to counter any potential preemptive or retaliatory moves from Pakistan across land, air, or sea domains.

This heightened state of alert and operational coordination among India’s armed forces reflects the seriousness with which the Indian government is treating the security situation in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.