New Delhi [India], May 19: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday once again raised sharp questions over the government’s handling of Operation Sindoor, specifically targeting External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar over a lack of transparency on potential losses suffered by the Indian Air Force.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “EAM Jaishankar’s silence isn’t just telling — it’s damning. So I’ll ask again: How many Indian aircraft did we lose because Pakistan knew? This wasn’t a lapse. It was a crime. And the nation deserves the truth.”
His comments follow the circulation of a video from May 17, where Jaishankar stated that India had communicated to Pakistan during the early phase of the operation that Indian strikes were aimed at terror infrastructure, not military assets. He added that Pakistan was advised not to interfere, but chose otherwise.
Backing Rahul Gandhi’s stance, Congress MP Manickam Tagore said, “In any parliamentary democracy, ministers are duty-bound to respond when the Opposition raises matters of national security… If Indian aircraft were lost because of foreknowledge given to the enemy — this isn’t a lapse. It’s a betrayal.”
The Congress has accused the BJP-led government of compromising operational secrecy by informing Pakistan of India’s intent during the mission. Gandhi previously asked: “Who authorised it? How many aircraft did our Air Force lose as a result?”
The Ministry of External Affairs refuted the claims, calling them an “utter misrepresentation of facts.” It clarified that Jaishankar had said Pakistan was warned after the operation had commenced—not prior to its execution.
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was a major retaliatory military campaign in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. The operation targeted deep terror networks within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly killing over 100 militants from groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Pakistan responded with shelling and drone attacks, leading India to launch further coordinated strikes on 11 Pakistani airbases. The hostilities ceased on May 10 following mutual understanding.
As political pressure mounts, the Opposition is demanding full accountability in Parliament over the strategy and consequences of Operation Sindoor.
Tags: Operation Sindoor, Rahul Gandhi, S. Jaishankar, Indian Air Force, Pakistan, airstrikes, cross-border terrorism, Congress, BJP, military operations, national security, Pahalgam attack, Ministry of External Affairs, Manickam Tagore, Indian Parliament, aircraft loss, political accountability