
Amid India-Pakistan tension, Air Force chief meets PM Modi
Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force, A.P. Singh, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in New Delhi on Sunday (May 4, 2025) even as tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack continued to be high. The meeting was also held amid growing cross-border skirmishes along Jammu and Kashmir.
On April 29, PM Modi said that the Indian armed forces have his full confidence and 'complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing' of India's response in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. He was reported to have said this during a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Air Force Chief Air Marshal A.P. Singh, and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi.
Twenty-six people were killed when a group of at least four terrorists struck the Baisaran meadow on April 22, selectively killing tourists on the basis of religion. One ponywala was also killed when he tried to protect the tourists.
The Sunday meeting also took place within 24 hours of Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh. K. Tripathi meeting Mr. Modi and informing him about the overall situation in the critical Arabian Sea. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and the Service chiefs had also held meetings with the Prime Minister.
India is weighing its options to the Pahalgam terror attack, which it believes was planned in Pakistan. India has already taken several diplomatic measures, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. In retaliation, Pakistan banned Indian-flagged ships from entering its ports with immediate effect after New Delhi imposed fresh punitive measures, including a ban on the import of goods and entry of Pakistani vessels into its ports.
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