New Delhi/IBNS: Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not waste time but act soon and firmly to avenge the death of 26 civilians in the Pahalgam terror attack.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Rahul said, "28 (26) people have been killed in a cold-blooded manner, and it's clear who is responsible. Those responsible must pay the price.

"The Prime Minister must take decisive and strong action without delay or confusion. The PM must not dilly-dally or waste time; instead, he should make it very clear that India won't tolerate this nonsense. He needs to act."

"The Prime Minister can act within a suitable time-frame, but he needs to act soon. The perpetrators must be held accountable, and the Prime Minister should act firmly," he added.

Pahalgam attack and its repercussions

On April 22, 2025, the terrorists- belonging to The Resistance Front (TRF), which is an offshoot of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)- asked the victims to chant Islamic verses (kalma) and made them pull down their pants to be sure of their their non-Muslim religious identities (read circumcision)  before gunning them down before their families, including wives, children and daughters.

The massacre triggered nationwide outrage and escalated India-Pakistan tensions as New Delhi vowed to avenge the killings.

In an immediate response, India suspended the landmark Indus River water-sharing treaty and closed the Attari-Wagah road border, which acts as a lifeline of Indo-Pak trade and people-to-people ties, besides expelling diplomats, downsizing high commissions, and issuing a 48-hour deadline to Pakistani visa holders present in India to leave.

Modi gives full freedom to Indian military

Modi has given the armed forces 'complete freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing' of India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack which was targeted at Hindus.

Modi took the decision on Tuesday at a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed that it is 'our national resolve to deal a crushing blow to terrorism' and that he has 'complete faith and confidence' in the Indian military.

After the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, India conducted precision air strikes on terrorist camps in Balakot in Pakistan. The camps were run by banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed with the help from the Pak Army.