New Delhi – In the wake of the heartbreaking terror attack in Pahalgam that took 26 innocent lives—many of them tourists—the Indian government has moved swiftly and decisively. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-stakes meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence to assess the situation and explore India’s course of action.
This was the second CCS meeting since the April 22 attack, and it carried the heavy mood of a grieving but determined nation. Senior ministers, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, joined the Prime Minister in reviewing the situation, especially the cross-border links believed to be involved in the attack.
Though official statements remain reserved, sources suggest strong deliberations around retaliatory measures. The Prime Minister has already given the armed forces full operational freedom—letting them decide the “mode, targets, and timing” of India’s response. This gesture, according to sources, is meant to empower the defence establishment to act without delay or constraint.
In a sign of broader national concern, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal revealed that the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) is considering a special session of Parliament. This comes amid mounting calls from opposition leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, who have urged the government to present a united front and reaffirm national solidarity in Parliament.
Beyond political responses, tempers are flaring in other quarters too. Meghwal used a press interaction to strongly criticize Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav over a controversial image blending his face with that of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar—calling it an insult to the revered architect of the Indian Constitution and a deeply respected icon among Dalits.
Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan are visibly escalating. In a firm retaliatory step, India has banned Pakistani airlines from using its airspace—a week after Pakistan took a similar step against Indian carriers. An official NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) has been issued, reflecting the seriousness of the current climate.
As the country mourns the lives lost in Pahalgam, the mood across India is one of sorrow mixed with resolve. The people want justice—not just in words, but in action. What comes next could shape not only the region’s geopolitical landscape but also the nation’s collective memory of how it stood together in a moment of pain.
