Government revamps National Security Advisory Board after Pahalgam terror attack

The government has reestablished the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), with former RAW chief Alok Joshi serving as its new chairman. The newly formed seven-member board includes some prominent former armed forces and civil service personnel. These include former Western Air Commander Air Marshal PM Sinha, former Southern Army Commander Lt General AK Singh, and Rear Admiral Monty Khanna from the military services.

Rajiv Ranjan Verma and Manmohan Singh, retired IPS officers, represent the Indian Police Service, while B Venkatesh Varma, a former Indian Foreign Service officer, joins the board. The NSAB is made up of eminent national security experts from outside the government, including senior retired officials, civilians, military, academics, and civil society members with expertise in internal and external security.

The Union government's decision follows the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 people, including one Nepalese national, and injured many others. Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting conducted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his house ended on Wednesday afternoon, according to ANI. In addition to the CCS meeting, two other committee meetings were held at the Prime Minister's residence: the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). The cabinet briefing is planned for 3 p.m.