Reflecting people's anger that erupted in street protests across India in the wake of Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said "the blood of Indians is boiling" and the "guardians" of terror attack will be "definitely punished", even as he gave a free hand to the security forces to deal with perpetrators of terror.

The decision followed a marathon meeting of cabinet committee on security (CCS) chaired by PM Modi along with key cabinet ministers, national security advisor AK Doval and top security brass.

The CCS, sources said, discussed all possible retributive options India can afford to take against Pakistan-based terror outfits, especially Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). PM asked NSA Doval to thrash out swift punitive action with the heads of all the three wings of defence forces and other security agencies.

All options are open for the security forces to take on terror outfits operating from Pakistan side of the border, be it through Army-led surgical strikes, drone attacks or pounding by Air Force fighter planes, said sources.

Later, speaking at a function in Jhansi, PM Modi said, "I can understand that blood of people is boiling after Pulwama attack. Our security forces have been given full freedom. We have full faith in their bravery...I want to tell the terrorist outfits and their leaders that they have already committed a big blunder and will have to pay a very heavy price for it."

(Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to the martyred CRPF jawans, who lost their lives in Thursday’s Pulwama terror attack, after their mortal remains were brought at AFS Palam in New Delhi on Friday —PTI)

Deciding to take a multi-pronged approach, the CCS told the MEA to explore all possibilities to isolate Pakistan globally for providing a safe haven and logistic help to the terror outfits.

The MEA, sources said, has moved with alacrity and started meeting envoys of the UN Security Council's (UNSC) permanent members — US, Russia, China, UK and France — to brief regarding Pakistan's role.

"Our senior officials have started reaching out to all important partner nations through diplomatic missions to apprise them of Pakistan backed terror outfits in Pulwama suicide attack," an MEA official said.

CCS Meeting Takeaways

• MFN status bestowed on Pakistan revoked. FM Jaitley says govt will consider punitive actions such as significant hike in customs duties, port curbs and ban on goods imported
• Security forces have been given permission to take decisions about the timing, place and nature of their response...This is an India of new convention and policy.
• MEA to take all diplomatic steps to ensure ‘complete isolation’ of Pakistan in the international community for providing a safe haven and logistic help to the terror outfits.
• NSA Doval to thrash out swift punitive action with the heads of all the three wings of defence forces and other security agencies. Options include take on terror outfits operating from Pakistan side of the border