Modi meets chiefs of armed forces

Ahead of his first public meeting in Kozhikode after the Uri terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met top military officials to discuss the prevailing security situation. This was his second major interaction with the defence chiefs after a special briefing on India’s preparedness at the war room on September 20.

Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Naval Staff Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were present during the meeting at the prime minister’s residence in 7, Lok Kalyan Marg here. India’s response to the Uri attack, for which New Delhi has held Pakistan responsible, apparently figured in the discussion.

The prime minister was specifically briefed on the ongoing operations in Jammu and Kashmir to “neutralise” suspected terrorists who are believed to have entered the Indian side in the run-up to the attack on September 18, in which 18 troopers lost their lives.

On September 20, Modi had spent an hour-and-a-half at the war room, also called the military operations directorate, of the defence ministry located in South Block. The prime minister was briefed on the options before the military by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, among others. Modi was said to have been given extensive briefing on intelligence about enemy movements and their plans, the sources said.