PM Narendra Modi meets defence top brass to discuss India’s response to Uri attack

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 24, 2016: Ahead of his speech in Kozhikode in which he is likely to send a strong message to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a meeting with the chiefs of the Army and the Air Force along with the Vice Chief of the Navy at his residence here.

The meeting assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of the deadly Uri attack.

News agency ANI said during the meeting, the PM discussed the prevailing security conditions in the wake of the deadly Uri attack and India`s response to the audacious attack which took place on Sunday.

News agency PTI, however, quoted defence sources as describing the meeting as "routine".

The chiefs of the armed forces have a monthly meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss various issues, they said.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Vice Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral KB Singh met the Prime Minister. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba is out of town. ANI said National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was also present for the meeting at the Prime Minister`s residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.

The Army Chief has met the PM and top PMO officials a number of times since the attack last Sunday in which 18 soldiers were killed.

Immediately after the Uri attack, the Prime Minister had vowed in a strongly-worded tweet that he will not let the perpetrators go "unpunished".

Earlier, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had asserted that the Prime Minister`s promise to punish those behind the Uri terror attack would not remain just words.

Last Sunday, a militant attack on an Army base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, has claimed the lives of 18 soldiers.