The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened today at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence to assess the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, amidst rising anticipation of India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The meeting, attended by key Union Ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, came a day after the Prime Minister met top defence officials and granted the armed forces “complete operational freedom” to decide the “mode, targets, and timing” of the response to the April 22 terror strike that left 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.
This is the second CCS meeting following the Pahalgam attack. The first, held on April 23, resulted in significant punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and downgrading of diplomatic ties—actions reflecting the cross-border linkages to the deadly attack.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the Indian government has officially banned Pakistani airlines from using Indian airspace. A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) was issued Wednesday, effectively denying overflight access to Pakistan carriers. This move follows Pakistan’s earlier decision to restrict Indian airlines from its airspace in the aftermath of the terror incident.
On the political front, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal stated that the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) will decide whether to convene a special Parliament session, as demanded by several opposition parties, including the Congress. Party leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi have written to the Prime Minister, urging a collective legislative stand following the tragedy in Pahalgam.
Meghwal also criticized Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav for a controversial image that juxtaposed Yadav’s face with that of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The BJP leader called the image an insult to Ambedkar and accused the SP-Congress alliance of attempting to manipulate Dalit sentiments, citing the Congress’s past opposition to Ambedkar in elections.
As tensions escalate, India’s response to the Pahalgam attack appears to be unfolding across military, diplomatic, and political fronts, with the nation closely watching for the next move.
