ANI
New Delhi, April 30: In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, including one Nepalese national, the Union government has overhauled the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB). Former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Alok Joshi has been appointed as the new head of the board.
The newly constituted NSAB comprises seven members with extensive experience in defence, policing, and diplomacy. Among the appointees are retired military officials—Air Marshal P.M. Sinha (former Western Air Commander), Lieutenant General A.K. Singh (former Southern Army Commander), and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna. The board also includes two former IPS officers, Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, along with retired Indian Foreign Service officer B. Venkatesh Varma.
The revamp follows a high-level security review chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, where the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held an emergency meeting to assess the situation. Discussions focused on the cross-border linkages of the Pahalgam attack, which occurred amid growing political stability and economic development in the Union Territory.
In a strong diplomatic move, the government announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, signaling its disapproval of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in fostering cross-border terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi expressed full confidence in the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces and assured them complete operational freedom in formulating India’s response, including the choice of timing, targets, and strategy.
Apart from the CCS, the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) also met earlier today to deliberate on the broader implications of the attack. A formal press briefing by the Union Cabinet is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
