SRINAGAR, April 24 – Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s firm directive to employ “all might for the strongest possible action” against terror actors has found a clear and determined echo in the statements and instructions issued by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, as the administration ramps up its response following the Pahalgam terror attack.
In a high-level security review meeting convened in Srinagar just hours after the Home Minister concluded his two-day visit to the union territory, LG Sinha emphasized that the complete dismantling of the terrorism ecosystem would remain a non-negotiable priority for the security and civil administration.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, and other senior officers from civil and police departments. The deliberations were focused on translating the Centre’s strategic directives into ground-level operational momentum.
Nation’s Will Not to Bend to Terror
The Home Minister’s strong statement that the culprits of the Pahalgam attack would face the full brunt of the law was described as “measured yet loud and clear.” Shah reportedly told officials during his closed-door meetings that terrorists “were mistaken if they thought that by killing unarmed civilians, they could make the nation bow to fear.”
This message, according to senior officials, was reinforced and operationalized in the follow-up security review chaired by LG Sinha.
Quoting sources present in the meeting, LG Sinha is said to have told top officials, “The Home Minister has directed that all might must be used for the strongest possible action against the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack. The entire terror-supporting ecosystem must be completely dismantled.“
On-the-Ground Security to Be Tightened
In addition to strategic directives, there was a strong push for tangible security reinforcement at the grassroots level. LG Sinha instructed Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police across Jammu and Kashmir to restore public confidence and ensure that citizens feel secure in their localities.
“Steps must be taken to ensure that people feel protected and their needs are taken care of,” LG Sinha emphasized during the discussion, according to sources.
He also reiterated the Centre’s and UT administration’s stance that avenging the killing of civilians and preventing future attacks are twin goals that must be pursued simultaneously.
“All means and measures must be taken to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. The nation must be assured that terrorism will be defeated with resolve and strategy,” he was quoted as saying.
Zero Tolerance Strategy Reinforced
The Pahalgam incident, which involved the killing of unarmed civilians by terrorists, has intensified the resolve within the central and local security framework to escalate operations across all fronts—from counter-insurgency missions to intelligence gathering and dismantling financial and logistical support structures to terror outfits.
The LG, who has consistently advocated for a relentless fight against terror, reinforced the Centre’s vision that no respite should be given to those involved in or facilitating acts of terror.
“Our forces are capable and committed. The fight will continue until every last trace of terror is wiped from our soil. We will go after not just the terrorists, but also those who support them—financially, logistically, ideologically,” Sinha said during the meeting.
He highlighted that the enemy would be met with a response equal in strength and resolve. “Our response will be timely, proportionate, and thorough,” he said, signaling a no-tolerance policy.
Coordinated Response from Agencies
Following Shah’s visit, security forces have already begun a coordinated crackdown, targeting known hideouts and increasing surveillance in vulnerable pockets of south Kashmir. Central agencies are working closely with Jammu and Kashmir Police and local intelligence units to pinpoint and neutralize terror modules believed to have links with the recent attack.
Top officials have been tasked with preparing updated threat assessments and security plans tailored to the specific dynamics of each district. Meanwhile, border security has also been placed under high alert to prevent the cross-border infiltration of militants.
Impact on Ground and Future Preparedness
Senior officials from the administration noted that the public should expect an increased presence of security forces, stricter movement regulations in sensitive zones, and heightened security checks. However, they reassured that these actions are designed not to inconvenience civilians but to safeguard lives and preserve stability in the region.
Efforts are also being made to ensure minimal disruption to everyday life while maintaining a strong security perimeter in affected and vulnerable areas. Additional paramilitary units have been deployed, and night operations have intensified.
Political Consensus Around Anti-Terror Operations
Political leadership across party lines in Jammu and Kashmir have broadly supported the Centre’s stance and expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives. While there are diverse views on governance and development in the union territory, there appears to be a shared understanding that terrorism must be confronted without compromise.
Local representatives and community leaders have also urged youth to stay away from radical influences and cooperate with law enforcement authorities.
Humanitarian Outreach in Parallel
In addition to military operations, the administration has also directed local departments to ramp up humanitarian support for the families affected by the Pahalgam killings. Compensation, psychological counseling, and relocation support are among the key measures being undertaken.
“No amount of compensation can bring back the lost lives,” LG Sinha acknowledged, “but we must ensure that the families are not left to suffer alone. Their pain is our collective responsibility.”
Message to the International Community
While the internal response remains the focus, the Home Minister’s remarks and LG Sinha’s subsequent actions are also being interpreted as a signal to the international community. India, officials say, wants to send an unmistakable message that state-sponsored terror or cross-border proxy violence will be met with unwavering resistance.
Diplomatic channels have reportedly been activated to highlight the nature of the Pahalgam attack and the pattern of escalation believed to be linked with external actors.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration, with full backing from the Centre, has made it clear that the days of reactive counterterrorism are over. The Pahalgam attack has sparked a resolute, aggressive posture across security and administrative hierarchies, with an emphasis on not just retaliation, but eradication of terrorism from its roots.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s message during the security meeting underscores that every agency is now on high operational alert, and the fight against terrorism will continue with enhanced precision, coordination, and political will.
