New Delhi – In the wake of the brutal Pahalgam attack that left 26 civilians dead, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has issued India’s most resolute message yet, declaring that the country will respond forcefully to those behind the carnage — both the attackers and the masterminds operating from the shadows.
Speaking at the annual Arjan Singh Memorial Lecture, Singh condemned the “cowardly terrorist attack” as an “inhuman act” that has plunged the nation into mourning. He assured citizens that India’s strong response to Pahalgam attack would be swift, decisive, and comprehensive.
Deeply anguished by the cowardly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K. Innocent lives were lost in a brutal act of hate, targeting peace and faith. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh assured the nation that those responsible will not be spared. Whether perpetrators or conspirators,… pic.twitter.com/tnOXg0u59n
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) April 23, 2025
“We will trace and eliminate not only those who pulled the trigger but also those who plotted this from behind the scenes,” he said, signaling a paradigm shift in India’s counter-terror doctrine.
Earlier in the day, the Defence Minister chaired a high-level security meeting in New Delhi that included National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, and all three service chiefs. The nearly three-hour meeting was reportedly focused on bolstering India’s defence posture and operational readiness across Jammu and Kashmir.
In the India’s strong response to Pahalgam attack, the Army has already stepped up surveillance and anti-terror operations across infiltration-prone sectors, particularly in Kashmir’s southern and northern regions. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi is said to have provided a comprehensive update on force deployment and ongoing operations.
Rajnath Singh’s remarks follow those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short an official visit to Saudi Arabia and returned to New Delhi to lead the national response. Modi strongly condemned the attack and vowed justice for the victims. Home Minister Amit Shah also flew to Srinagar to take stock of the security situation on the ground.
The Pahalgam tragedy, targeting tourists and locals alike, has sparked nationwide grief and international condemnation. Singh’s speech not only reaffirmed India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism but also emphasized the need for indigenous defence capabilities. Highlighting achievements in defence production, Singh cited India’s advancements in platforms like the LCA Tejas and BrahMos systems as evidence of growing strategic autonomy.
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“India is an ancient civilization with deep strength. No act of terror can weaken our resolve,” Singh said. “India’s strong response to Pahalgam attack will demonstrate that those who threaten our peace will not go unpunished.”
As Kashmir remains tense and vigilance is at its peak, India’s security establishment is preparing for a long-haul battle — not just with guns, but with intelligence, strategy, and an unwavering national will.
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