Mumbai, Aug 2026 : National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has revealed the questions Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked immediately after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, offering fresh insight into the decision-making process that preceded Operation Sindoor.
In his first on-camera interview focused on the military operation, Doval recalled his interaction with Prime Minister Modi following the April 2025 attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He described the Prime Minister’s immediate focus on establishing the identity of the perpetrators and understanding the circumstances surrounding the assault.
According to Doval, Prime Minister Modi returned from his engagements and met officials at the airport itself. The National Security Advisor said the Prime Minister first sought a complete account of the incident before asking directly who was responsible.
Doval recalled Modi asking, “Who has done it?” and stressing the importance of identifying the perpetrators at the earliest. The Prime Minister, he said, wanted the details immediately so that the government could understand who was behind the attack and determine an appropriate response.
The NSA also praised India’s intelligence agencies for their role in establishing the identities and links of those responsible within a short period.
“Thanks to our intelligence agencies. I think they did a brilliant job, and within a very short time we were able to arrive at the conclusion,” Doval said.
The revelations come against the backdrop of the April 22, 2025, terror attack at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Anantnag district. Gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing 26 civilians, along with a local guide. The attack triggered widespread outrage across India and significantly escalated tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.
India subsequently launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The Indian armed forces carried out strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, targeting nine sites linked to terror networks.
The operation was followed by heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan. Pakistan attempted drone and missile strikes against Indian targets, while Indian air-defence systems responded to the attacks.
The confrontation continued for several days before the two countries reached an understanding on a ceasefire on May 10, bringing an end to the intense phase of the military escalation.
Doval’s account provides a glimpse into the initial hours following the Pahalgam attack, particularly the emphasis placed by the Indian leadership on rapidly identifying those responsible. His comments also underline the role of intelligence gathering in shaping the subsequent military response.
The interview is expected to draw significant attention as it sheds light on previously less-publicised aspects of the events surrounding Operation Sindoor and the chain of decisions that followed one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years.
