New Delhi: The Indian Army and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) have firmly denied accusations by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi that the Indian government informed Pakistan in advance of Operation Sindoor, calling his remarks a “complete misrepresentation of facts.”
The controversy erupted after Gandhi posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar speaking after the opening of the Honduras Embassy in New Delhi, alleging:
“Informing Pakistan at the start of our attack was a crime… Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our Air Force lose as a result?”
DGMO Clarifies India’s Military Communication Post-Strikes
In a May 11 media briefing, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), categorically addressed the claims, clarifying:
“We attempted to communicate our compulsion to strike terror bases to my Pakistani counterpart after the operation began, but the request was brusquely rejected with threats of retaliation. We were, of course, prepared.”
This statement indicates that no prior warning was issued before the commencement of the strikes on May 7, following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians.
MEA: Jaishankar’s Words Distorted
The MEA’s External Publicity Division also issued a statement condemning what it termed an “utter misrepresentation” of Jaishankar’s words:
“EAM had stated that we had warned Pakistan at the start, which is clearly the early phase after Operation Sindoor’s commencement. This is being falsely represented as before the operation.”
Background: Operation Sindoor
- Launched: May 7
- Trigger: April 22 Pahalgam terror attack
- Objective: Eliminate terror infrastructure of JeM, LeT, and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan and PoJK
- Result: Over 100 terrorists neutralized, 11 Pakistani military airbases damaged in follow-up airstrikes
- Retaliation: Pakistan responded with shelling and drone attacks, prompting India’s coordinated counter-airstrikes
- Status: Ceasefire agreement reached on May 10
Political Fallout
The row highlights the deepening political divide over national security matters, with the ruling BJP defending its decisive military action, while the opposition raises questions about strategic transparency and accountability.
However, the unified military and MEA response underlines India’s position that no operational compromise was made and that diplomatic and military channels were utilized only after the mission began—not before.