Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Monday. This meeting followed a briefing by Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan regarding India’s response to the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, primarily tourists.
The Pahalgam attack, occurring at Baisaran meadow, is among the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack. The incident prompted an intensified investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and heightened security measures by the Indian Army.
Prior to the meeting, an all-party meeting, chaired by the Defense Minister, was held in Parliament to discuss the attack. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also convened, condemning the attack and highlighting cross-border links.
In response to the attack, India has decided to reduce its diplomatic presence in Islamabad. Specifically, the positions of Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad have been annulled. Additionally, five support staff members of these Service Advisors will be withdrawn. The overall staff at both high commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30, with these changes taking effect on May 1, 2025.
