Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired a high-level security review meeting with senior officials to assess the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Nalin Prabhat, Director General of Police, J&K; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary Home; Nitish Kumar, Additional Director General of Police, CID; Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Bhim Sen Tuti, Inspector General of Police, Jammu; and Shiv Kumar Sharma, Deputy Inspector General, Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range.

During the meeting, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need for robust and coordinated efforts to completely eradicate terrorism and its support network in the Union Territory.

“It is the collective resolve of the people of J&K and the nation to destroy the root of terror emanating from our neighbourhood. We must be resolute to fulfill this mission,” Sinha asserted.

He directed security agencies to take strong action against Over Ground Workers (OGWs) who provide logistical support, identify targets, and aid terrorists in evading security forces. “The infrastructure and support system of terrorism in every nook and corner of the Union Territory must be dismantled permanently,” he stressed.

The Lieutenant Governor underscored the priority of ensuring a sense of security for the common citizen and instructed officials to further strengthen the security grid. He also called for enhanced coordination and synergy among all security agencies to achieve the shared objective of lasting peace.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday, asserted that the Indian armed forces have been given “complete operational freedom” to determine the mode, targets, and timing of India’s response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists.

Chairing a high-level meeting with top defence officials, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, PM Modi reiterated the national resolve to crush terrorism in all its forms.

Government sources quoted Modi as saying, “They (the armed forces) have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of our response.” He also expressed full faith in the professionalism and capability of the Indian defence forces to handle the situation.

The meeting came as the country mourns the most brutal terror attack on civilians in recent years, which occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22. Modi had earlier vowed to track down the terrorists and their sponsors “to the ends of the earth,” hinting at Pakistan’s long-standing support for terror outfits operating against India.

India has already begun responding diplomatically and strategically, including putting the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan in abeyance.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chaired a separate high-level meeting with the chiefs of paramilitary forces, including DGs of the BSF, NSG, Assam Rifles, and senior officers from the SSB and other agencies. The meeting, held amid heightened national security concerns, focused on counter-terror preparedness and border management.

The Home Secretary also held a video conference with Chief Secretaries of all states, instructing them to ensure the timely departure of Pakistani nationals whose visas have been revoked.

In another significant development, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat met with PM Modi, reportedly in connection with the attack. The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, considered the ideological backbone of the BJP, has been vocal on national security issues.

PM Modi also held a separate meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, who has been leading intensive security reviews and anti-terror initiatives since the attack.

With national sentiment running high and the government’s record of decisive military responses — such as the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes — expectations are mounting for a strong and strategic retaliation.

In a coordinated effort led by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), over two dozen Pakistani nationals—many of them women married to Indian citizens—were sent to the Attari border in Amritsar, Punjab for deportation to Pakistan.

Jammu Region Deportations:

• From Jammu: Four women, including Menal Khan, wife of CRPF constable Munir Ahmed, were deported. Others include Ayesha Kiran, Saba Kiran, and Rakshanda Rashi.
• From Rajouri: Eight individuals, including six women and children, were picked up. Names include Sara Khan (wife of Aurangzeb), Azra Bibi, Atiya Aslam, Iqra Aslam, Anam Khalil, and Sarwat Begum.
• From Poonch: Eleven civilians, including four women and eight members of a single family, were deported. Most belonged to Mendhar tehsil. Ten had been residing illegally; one had overstayed.

Kashmir Region Deportations:

• Srinagar & Other Districts: 59 Pakistani nationals, many of whom were wives and children of former militants who returned under the 2010 rehabilitation policy, were transported to Punjab. These included:
  • 36 from Srinagar,
  • 9 from Kupwara,
  • 8 from Baramulla,
  • 4 from Budgam, and
  • 2 from Shopian.

Authorities confirmed the group was taken by bus to Punjab, awaiting formal handover to Pakistani officials. Final confirmation from the Pakistani side is still pending.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah struck a deeply emotional and reflective tone during the special session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, saying that the spontaneous and widespread public outrage over the Pahalgam terror attack could mark a turning point in the Valley’s battle against terrorism.

The Assembly, already united in condemnation of the April 22 killings of 26 civilians at Baisaran, listened intently as Omar emphasized the people’s role in fighting terror:

“We cannot control a terrorist with a gun—but we can end terrorism if people are with us.”

Public Outrage Without Political Call: “A New Ray of Hope”

Highlighting that protests broke out across the state without any party’s call, Omar noted this level of condemnation had not been seen in 21 years.
“From Kathua to Kupwara, people hit the streets—not in anger, but in grief and solidarity,” he said. “Even Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid held a two-minute silence—something unprecedented.”

A Tearful Acknowledgment: “I Failed as CM and Tourism Minister”

In one of the most poignant moments, Omar Abdullah took personal responsibility for the tragedy:

“I invited those tourists to Kashmir as CM and Tourism Minister. I failed to ensure their safe return.”

Fighting emotion, he recounted heartbreaking stories—a child crying beside his father’s bloodied body, a young widow asking what her mistake was.

No Politics, No Demands for Statehood—Only Grief

Rejecting opportunism, the CM declared:

“Curse be on me if I go to Centre now and push for statehood. This is not the time for politics—it is time for mourning and solidarity.”

He promised that the focus must remain on healing and justice, not bureaucracy.

Direct Message to TRF: “Not In Our Name”

Naming terror group The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility, Omar asked:

“Did we ask for this? Did we ask for 26 innocent people to be sent home in coffins?”

He stressed that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, regardless of religion or region, categorically rejected the attack and the ideology behind it.

Tales of Valor and Humanity Amid Horror

Paying tribute to Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who died protecting tourists, Omar said:

“He could have fled—but he didn’t.”

He saluted locals who offered free food, rides, and lodging to stranded tourists, citing pony handlers, boatmen, and taxi drivers who displayed Kashmir’s true spirit of hospitality.

Assembly Remembers Its Own Pain

Omar reminded the House of the personal toll terrorism has taken on many MLAs:

“From Shagun Parihar to Sajad Lone, from Rafiq Naik to Sakina Itoo—many among us have lost loved ones to this violence.”

Referring to the 2001 J&K Assembly bombing, he said, “Only this Assembly understands this pain, not even Parliament.”

Warning Against Misinformation

In a stern message, the CM warned social media influencers against spreading fake news.

“90% are truthful. But that 10%—spreading falsehood—must stop. We will not tolerate it.”

In a rare and powerful show of unity, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday passed a unanimous resolution condemning the barbaric terror attack in Pahalgam that shook the nation last week. Cutting across political and ideological divides, legislators came together to express grief, rage, and determination in the face of violence.

The special session convened in the aftermath of the massacre saw passionate speeches endorsing the diplomatic measures taken by the Government of India on April 23, after a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security meeting.

Sunil Sharma: “PM Will Give Befitting Reply”

BJP leader and Leader of Opposition, Sunil Sharma, in an emotional address, said the entire nation was watching and mourning. “J&K is known as heaven, and this attack has shaken all humanity,” he said, recounting the pain of a newlywed woman and a young boy who lost loved ones.

Calling for unwavering trust in the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Sharma stressed patience and unity: “We must trust the Government’s plan. We didn’t eat after the attack, we protested—this unity must now be preserved.”

Opposition Backs Centre, But Flags Security Lapses

Congress MLA Ghulam Ahmad Mir lauded the people’s unity but questioned whether security had failed. “Announcements must become ground action,” he said, warning against lip-service. He also emphasized the need to investigate “black sheep” within the establishment.

No More Dialogue: AAP Demands Military Action

Mehraj Malik of Aam Aadmi Party made a fiery pitch for direct military action against Pakistan. “Enough is enough,” he said. “If we don’t reply in bullet-to-bullet language, this will not stop.”

Valley Rejects Violence: Sajad Lone, Tarigami Echo Shift in Sentiment

Sajad Gani Lone of People’s Conference noted this as a turning point in public perception: “For the first time in 35 years, Kashmiris are rejecting such violence outright.” He called for media sensitivity and national unity.

Veteran leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami emphasized communal harmony and participation of local representatives in the anti-terror effort. “Terrorists have no religion. Our message should be clear: we are one.”

Restoring Statehood, Supporting Victims: Wider Concerns Raised

Altaf Ahmad Wani (NC) praised the local people for aiding the injured and emphasized long-overdue restoration of statehood. Waheed Parra of PDP described the massacre as “a crime against humanity,” and called for martyr status for the victims.

Tributes and Proposals: Memorials and Donations

Multiple MLAs including Sheikh Khursheed proposed setting up memorials in Pahalgam and donating legislator salaries to support victims’ families.