Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, the Chief of the Indian Air Force. The meeting comes in the wake of a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which left 26 people dead.
According to Indian media outlet NDTV, the meeting with the Air Force Chief took place within 24 hours of a separate meeting between Modi and the Navy Chief. Last week, Modi also held discussions with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
Though no official statement was released regarding the latest meeting, it is being seen as part of India’s response to the Kashmir attack. Indian media previously reported that Modi had granted the armed forces “full freedom” to respond as needed.
Following the attack, Modi stated at a public rally that the attackers would be hunted down and punished, no matter where they are — a remark widely interpreted as a warning to Pakistan.
The situation echoes past tensions between the two countries, notably after the 2019 Pulwama attack in which 40 Indian soldiers were killed. India claimed to have retaliated with an airstrike in Balakot, Pakistan, which led to further military standoffs