A heated 16-hour Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes against Pakistan’s terror infrastructure following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, saw sharp exchanges between the Centre and the Opposition.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi led the charge, questioning the operation’s success, asking, “If Pakistan can strike again, how was it a success?” He pressed the government on its intent, challenging why the operation, launched on May 7, did not aim to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) or escalate into war. Gogoi also demanded clarity on reported losses, particularly of India’s 35 Rafale jets, citing concerns over national security.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh defended the operation, asserting it achieved all political and military objectives, destroying seven of nine targeted terror camps in a 22-minute tri-service strike without civilian casualties. He dismissed claims of US pressure, stating Pakistan’s DGMO requested a ceasefire on May 10, which India accepted after meeting its goals. Singh rebuked the Opposition’s focus on Indian losses, urging them to ask, “How many enemy aircraft were shot down?” Sources confirmed India downed six Pakistani jets and 10 UAVs, with no significant damage to Indian assets.

The Pahalgam attack, linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, killed 26 civilians, prompting Operation Sindoor, named to honor the victims’ widows. Despite a brief ceasefire, Pakistan’s violation led to India’s warning of fierce retaliation. The debate, marred by Opposition protests over Bihar’s voter roll revision, coincided with Operation Mahadev, which killed three terrorists near Srinagar, two linked to Pahalgam.

Congress and SP leaders, including Akhilesh Yadav, criticized intelligence lapses and former US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of mediating the ceasefire, which India denies.

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