As tensions between India and Pakistan remain on the rise after the horrific Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 individuals, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday stated that it was his responsibility to give a "befitting" reply to those who harm the country.
His statement is made at a moment when bilateral relations are heating up fast. Addressing a function in Delhi, Singh stated, "I want to assure you that under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, what you desire will certainly happen."
Senior Indian leaders, comprising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh himself, have reiterated in no uncertain terms condemnation of the attack and a stern response.
In the first few hours that followed, India Today TV was informed by sources that Prime Minister Modi has given complete operational freedom to the Indian Armed Forces to handle the situation as they see fit.
The Modi government has already initiated strong military operations against cross-border terrorism. India conducted surgical strikes after the 2016 Uri attack and the Balakot air strikes following the 2019 Pulwama bombing—both perpetrated by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
Following the Pahalgam attack, PM Modi again asserted that the perpetrators and their supporters would be pursued relentlessly and brought to severe punishment.
Against these events and in response to increasing Indian rhetoric, Pakistan has been said to have put its military and intelligence system on high alert, expecting possible Indian retaliation.
Speaking to the nation one day after the Baisaran Valley incident, Rajnath Singh assured that India would target not only the culprits, but also the planners working behind the scenes.
"We will not only contact the perpetrators of this act. We will contact those who, from behind the scenes, have planned to perpetrate such heinous acts on Indian soil," Singh asserted, reaffirming India's collective opposition to terrorism and its unyielding zero-tolerance policy.
While Pakistan has warned India against any "misadventure" and has been engaging with the international community in a bid to defuse the increasing tensions.
With both countries' military and intelligence organizations on high alert, world powers have called on New Delhi and Islamabad not to escalate the situation further.
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