Singh Rebukes Opposition Over Questions on Operation Sindoor

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Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday defended Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, sharply criticizing opposition members for raising what he called irrelevant questions about the military action. The minister’s remarks came during a parliamentary debate on the operation, a series of retaliatory strikes launched on May 7 against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) following a terror attack in Pahalgam. Singh asserted that the operation was a success and that its objectives were fully achieved.

In a spirited address, Singh opened the debate by framing Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of India’s resolve and strategic precision. He stated the mission’s objective was not to capture territory but to eliminate “terror nurseries” that have long threatened India. The minister revealed that over 100 terrorists, along with their trainers and handlers, were killed in precision strikes on nine terror infrastructure targets.

Singh directly addressed the opposition’s questioning of why the operation was paused. He dismissed claims that the action was halted under external pressure, calling them “baseless and incorrect.” Instead, he explained that the operation was paused after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) contacted his Indian counterpart on May 10, appealing for a halt to hostilities. According to Singh, the offer was accepted with the explicit condition that the operation would be resumed if any future setback occurred from Pakistan’s side.

During the debate, opposition members, including Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress, pressed the government on what they perceived as a premature end to the operation and questioned the number of Indian aircraft allegedly downed. Singh countered this line of questioning, stating, “In any exam, results matter, not whether the pencil broke or the pen was lost.” He urged the opposition to focus on the mission’s success, noting that not a single Indian soldier suffered a casualty.

The defense minister’s firm stance underscores the government’s perspective that national security and military actions should not be politicized. The debate highlights a deep-seated disagreement between the government and the opposition on the handling and communication of critical defense operations.