National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has offered a rare glimpse into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's immediate reaction following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack. Speaking in the Discovery docuseries Declassified: Operation Sindoor, Doval recounted Modi's urgent inquiry upon his return to India.
Modi's Immediate Demand for Accountability
According to Doval, after receiving a briefing at the airport, PM Modi's very first question was direct and unequivocal: "Who has done it? Who is responsible? We should be very clear who the perpetrators are. I want it immediately." This demand for swift identification of those behind the April 22 attack, which claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam, underscored the Prime Minister's resolve.
Doval credited India's intelligence agencies for their rapid response, stating they performed a "brilliant job" in quickly identifying the culprits.
Operation Sindoor: India's Decisive Response
The NSA detailed the strategic objectives behind Operation Sindoor, a military action launched days after the Pahalgam tragedy. "We had decided the objective of the operation as destruction of the enemy camps, particularly those who had been responsible for the Pahalgam attack," Doval explained.
On May 7, Indian forces initiated precision strikes targeting terror infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation aimed to send a clear message to the Pakistan Army that "its support to terrorism or inability to take effective action against the terrorists is something which is not tolerable to us."
The 88-Hour Conflict and India's Resolve
Following the Indian strikes, Pakistan responded with its own offensives, which included drone incursions. However, most of these drones were successfully intercepted and shot down by Indian forces. The intense conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations lasted approximately 88 hours, from the morning of May 7 until an understanding was reached on the evening of May 10.
Doval emphasized India's broader message to the global community: "India's generosity or India being tolerant should not be mistaken for its weakness. India can take risks; India can hit hard, irrespective of the consequences." He affirmed that India is prepared to go "as far as required to preserve India's sovereignty," with no limits on its commitment.
About Declassified: Operation Sindoor
The two-part docuseries Declassified: Operation Sindoor features firsthand accounts from key figures in India's military and national security leadership. It aims to provide a comprehensive look at the decision-making and events surrounding India's response to the Pahalgam attack, including Doval's insights into the critical moments of the military operation.