Congress Attacks the Government for “Misleading the Nation” With the ‘Lost Jets’ Remarks of the Indian Defense Attache
Statements from Congress Leaders: Both media chief Pawan Khera and Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh referenced a media article that quoted Captain Shiv Kumar, who claimed during an Indonesian conference that the IAF lost fighter jets to Pakistan while pursuing locations connected to terrorism. According to the Congress, this is more proof that the government has been secretive about the magnitude of the war’s losses.
Demand for Parliamentary Oversight: The Congress has questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declined to call a special session of Parliament or chair an all-party meeting to inform the public and opposition about the actual scope of Operation Sindoor’s losses and its conduct.
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti made the first public admission of casualties in ambiguous words when he stated, “We are in a combat situation and losses are a part of combat,” without providing specifics.
In a subsequent interview, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), acknowledged that India had lost aircraft, but he called Pakistan’s allegation that six Indian aircraft had been shot down “absolutely incorrect.” He underlined that rather than counting the number of jets destroyed, the emphasis should be on identifying and fixing tactical errors.
The losses happened “only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defenses,” according to Captain Shiv Kumar’s recent comments in Indonesia, suggesting that operational limitations played a role in the casualties.
Indian officials have not verified the precise number of Indian aircraft lost, while Pakistani and independent sources have reported the loss of several, including Rafales, a MiG-29, and a Sukhoi-30. While acknowledging that “some” aircraft were lost, Captain Shiv Kumar refuted the greater numbers that foreign analysts had stated. Indian officials have not given a thorough breakdown of losses and have insisted that all pilots went home.
The Modi government, according to the Congress, has “compromised national security” by failing to disclose the losses and by evading parliamentary scrutiny due to the potential revelations.
According to the most recent reports, neither the government nor the defense establishment have formally responded to Captain Shiv Kumar’s comments or the Congress’s calls for a special session of Parliament.
In response to the Pahalgam terror assault, India started Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist infrastructure in areas under Pakistani control. Over the course of four days, the operation resulted in fierce military exchanges, and on May 10, hostilities ceased. Although both sides have asserted that they have caused the other to suffer severe losses, there is still little and conflicting independent confirmation.
Citing statements made by a top defense official that the IAF lost fighter jets to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the Congress party has stepped up its criticism of the Modi administration.
The government is accused by the party of deceiving the public, withholding important information, and evading parliamentary oversight. Senior military leaders have admitted some casualties and tactical mistakes, but the administration has not yet given a thorough public explanation or addressed calls from the opposition for more openness.
