Forces free to choose target of attack: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a top security meeting in Delhi where he reaffirmed India's resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism and underlined that the armed forces have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, officials aware of the matter said.

- Rahul Singh

The meeting at the prime minister's residence was the latest in a series of security huddles following the worst terror attack in India in nearly two decades, and was attended by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh, national security adviser Ajit Doval, chief of defence staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, and the three service chiefs. It will be followed up with a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by the PM, on Wednesday.

Later in the evening, Modi met Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat.

"The PM affirmed that it is our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism," said the officials cited above.