In a fiery speech in Parliament, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh fiercely countered the opposition’s questions about Operation Sindoor, dismissing their focus on Indian losses as failing to reflect “national sentiments.” Opening the debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military response, Singh redirected attention to India’s resounding success, emphasizing the destruction of terrorist bases and the elimination of high-value targets.

The opposition, led by figures like Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, had raised concerns about the number of Indian fighter jets allegedly shot down by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, with claims amplified by US President Donald Trump’s vague remark about five jets lost in the India-Pakistan conflict. Singh rebuked these queries, stating, “They ask how many of our aircraft were shot down. They should ask how many enemy aircraft we destroyed!” He confirmed that Indian forces downed six Pakistani jets, 10 armed UAVs, and a C-130 Hercules transport, while suffering no losses to Indian soldiers.

Operation Sindoor, India’s first tri-service mission against Pakistan since the 1971 war, was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to honor the victims, particularly the women who lost their husbands, the operation targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Singh proudly declared that over 100 terrorists were neutralized in precision strikes lasting just nine minutes, with zero civilian casualties despite Pakistan’s claims otherwise.

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“Ye sindoor ki laali, shaurya ki kahani hai. Bharat ke mastak par veerta ki nishani hai,” Singh proclaimed, likening the operation to the vermillion mark symbolizing bravery on India’s forehead. He highlighted the effectiveness of India’s air defense systems, drone countermeasures, and electronic warfare capabilities, which thwarted Pakistan’s retaliatory attacks, ensuring no damage to critical Indian assets, including the speculated loss of a Rafale jet.

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