Pahalgam terror attack: Armed forces have complete operational freedom, says PM Modi

The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, and chiefs of all three services. Pic/PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting with the top defence establishment, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and the chiefs of three services. The meeting was held amid India weighing its countermeasures following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack which left at least 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.

Modi has vowed to pursue the terrorists behind the attack and their patrons, a clear reference to Pakistan which has a history of sponsoring terror strikes in India, to the "ends of earth" and inflict harshest punishment on them. The prime minister earlier asserted that India will "identify, track, and punish" every terrorist and their "backers" involved in the Pahalgam carnage and pursue the killers to the "ends of the earth".

48 tourist sites shut

Nearly 50 public parks and gardens located in vulnerable areas of Kashmir Valley have been shut as a precautionary measure in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, officials said on Tuesday. Gates have been closed at 48 of the 87 public parks and gardens in Kashmir in view of the threat perception to tourists, they said. They said the security review was an ongoing process and more locations may be added to the list in the coming days.

The officials said the tourist locations which have been closed are in far-flung areas of Kashmir and include some of the new destinations thrown open over the past 10 years. The spots put off limit for the tourists include Dooshpathri, Kokernag, Duksum, Sinthan Top, Acchabal, Bangus valley, Margan Top and Tosamaidan. Although the authorities have not issued a formal order to this effect, the entry to these places has been blocked.

Congress writes to Modi

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi have written to PM Modi, asking him to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and demonstrate a collective resolve.

In the letter to Modi, Kharge said, "At this moment, when unity and solidarity is essential, the opposition believes that it is important to convene a special session of both Houses of Parliament at the earliest." Gandhi said the Pahalgam tragedy has outraged every Indian.

"At this critical time, India must show that we will always stand together against terrorism. The Opposition believes that a special session of both Houses of Parliament should be convened, where the representatives of the people can show their unity," he stated. "We request that such a special session be convened at the earliest," he added.

Tourist captures Pahalgam attack

A tourist from who was on a zipline ride inadvertently captured on video of the terror attack. In the video, which has gone viral on social media, Rishi Bhatt is seen enjoying the ride even as the attack unfolded on the ground below at Baisaran Valley. The 53-second video, shot using a selfie stick, showed people running for their lives, with one of them falling, apparently after being gunned down. Talking to reporters, Bhatt said he had gone to Baisaran Valley with his wife and a child, and they decided to enjoy a zipline ride. While his wife and child took the ride safely and reached the other side, the firing started just as his ride began, he said.

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