Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the security forces have been granted full freedom to give a befitting reply to the perpetrators of the deadly Pulwama terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which over 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many were left wounded.
Over 40 CRPF personnel were killed on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.
"My condolences to families of those martyred in the Pulwama attack, those behind the terror strike will pay a very heavy price," PM Modi said after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security.
"I thank all the nations who have supported us and condemned this incident in the strongest of terms. A strong reply will be given to this attack."
The Cabinet Committee on Security meet was chaired by PM Modi to discuss the security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack.
PM Modi said that Pakistan is making a big mistake if it thinks that it can destabalise India though its tactics and conspiracies.
"If our neighbour which is totally isolated in the world thinks it can destabilize India through its tactics and conspiracies, then it is making a big mistake," the PM said.
Paying tribute to the fallen men, PM Modi also said that there's a strong sense of anger in the nation and that the security forces have full freedom to act against the terror groups.
"Logon ka khoon khaul raha hai, yeh main samajh raha hun. Humare suraksha balon ko purn swatantra de di gayi hai. (I can understand that people are brimming with anger. Our security forces have full freedom.)," the PM said.
Earlier, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced that the "Most Favoured Nation" status which was granted to Pakistan stands withdrawn.
The decision was taken in the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting held a day after the worst-ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since militancy erupted in 1989.