Calling the Pahalgam strike a “cowardly act,” Rajnath Singh said India’s resolve remains unshaken. Top security officials have convened to enhance counter-terror operations and safeguard the region.
BY PC Bureau
April 23, 2025 — In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday delivered a strong message, promising a swift and decisive response.
Speaking at the Arjan Singh Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, Singh condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” that appeared to target a specific religious community. “Those responsible will receive a befitting reply soon — not just the perpetrators, but also those who conspired behind the scenes. They will not be spared,” he said.
आतंकवाद के ख़िलाफ़ हमारी zero tolerance की policy है। भारत का एक-एक नागरिक, इस कायरतापूर्ण हरकत के ख़िलाफ़ एकजुट है।
हम सिर्फ़ उन्हीं लोगों तक नहीं पहुँचेंगे, जिन्होंने इस घटना को अंजाम दिया हैI हम उन तक भी पहुँचेंगे, जिन्होंने परदे के पीछे बैठकर, हिंदुस्तान की सरजमीं पर ऐसी… pic.twitter.com/8HJbDxeRbU
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 23, 2025
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the minister reiterated India’s firm stance on terrorism. “Every citizen is united against this act of terror. India’s centuries-old civilization cannot be shaken by such attacks. We will continue our zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.”
Earlier, Singh held a high-level security review meeting in the capital, attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and top military commanders. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi presented a detailed briefing on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, including troop deployments and ongoing operations.
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Sources confirmed that the nearly two-and-a-half-hour meeting also included Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Air Chief Marshal AK Singh, and Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai. The meeting focused on intensifying counter-terror operations and enhancing overall combat readiness in the region.
