Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a scathing counterattack on the opposition in the Lok Sabha on Monday as he opened the special debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s retaliatory military response under Operation Sindoor.
Addressing the House, Singh reaffirmed the unwavering vigilance of the Indian armed forces and stated categorically that Operation Sindoor was not halted under any external pressure, but only after achieving its stated politico-military objectives.
“If Pakistan dares another misadventure, the operation will resume. Let there be no doubt,” Singh declared firmly in his opening remarks.
Slamming the opposition for questioning the outcome of the operation, Singh said, “They ask how many of our aircraft were shot down. But they never ask how many enemy aircraft were destroyed. In any exam, the result matters, not whether a pencil broke or a pen was lost.”
Operation Sindoor, Singh said, was a precisely executed mission that targeted nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike, which claimed 26 lives, including tourists and a pony operator.
“Seven out of the nine terror camps were completely destroyed. We have irrefutable proof of the damage inflicted deep inside enemy territory,” he said, adding that the entire operation lasted just 22 minutes and was non-escalatory in nature.
He further asserted that not a single Indian soldier was harmed, and the armed forces had meticulously planned the strike to ensure maximum impact on terrorist infrastructure while avoiding civilian casualties. “We chose an option that inflicted surgical damage to terror facilities while avoiding collateral harm,” Singh said.
Highlighting India’s military preparedness, Singh informed the House that India’s air defence systems, counter-drone units, and electronic warfare capabilities successfully foiled Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, reiterating that the armed forces had fully achieved their operational objectives.
In a sharp rebuke to critics, Singh challenged the opposition to focus on the success of the mission. “Ask whether Operation Sindoor was successful—the answer is a clear yes,” he said.
Turning briefly to India’s diplomatic posture, the Defence Minister recalled past peace overtures. “We once extended a hand of friendship with the Lahore bus journey, but Pakistan responded with betrayal. Now, we answer with Balakot and Sindoor,” he said.
“India desires peaceful relations with its neighbours,” Singh added, “but if anyone harms our citizens, we will respond with strength, not silence. Pakistan’s leaders know their soldiers cannot match ours, so they hide behind terrorism and play the victim.”
Calling Operation Sindoor a symbol of India’s military resolve and strategic precision, Singh concluded by declaring that the operation had sent a clear message — India will not tolerate bloodshed on its soil, and its responses will be swift, decisive, and proportionate.(KINS)
