Operation Sindoor was a large military operation launched by India in May 2025 in response to terrorist activities emanating from Pakistan. It included missile strikes and targeted attacks on terrorist facilities across the Line of Control in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and parts of Punjab state. The operation sought to demolish terror network camps and infrastructure associated to terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, which India accuses of sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Following the operation, there was much debate and scepticism, particularly from the Congress party. Congress MP Ajay Rai questioned the consistency of official comments from top defense officials, claiming that the discrepancies between the CDS and Army Chief hint to inconsistencies or “gadbad” in the government’s story. Rai called for complete transparency, requesting that Prime Minister Modi reveal the real truth about what happened during Operation Sindoor.
India’s armed services, particularly the Air Force, claimed to have met their objectives quickly and effectively. The Indian Air Force Chief repeated that many Pakistani jets, including F-16s and JF-17s, were destroyed, and India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets during the engagement. India revealed evidence of damage inflicted on Pakistani targets, while Indian officials denied Pakistan’s claims of downed Indian jets, referring to them as “Manohar Kahaniyan” (meaning “made-up stories” or “fantasies”).
Pakistan claimed that Indian strikes targeted residential places, including mosques, and caused civilian casualties, which India disputed. India said that their operations were precise and focused primarily on militant infrastructure, with minimal collateral damage. Pakistani accusations of downed Indian jets included assertions that Indian aircraft had incurred losses, which India’s military either denied or did not acknowledge publicly, focusing instead on the success of their targeted strikes.
In the aftermath, both India and Pakistan proclaimed a cease-fire on May 10, 2025, with the Indian military warning that future operations would be less restricted if Pakistan continued to assist terror activities. The crisis marked a significant escalation in nuclear-armed South Asia, but the cease-fire was maintained, allowing for a return to normalcy, including resumed flights and diplomatic activities.
The disparity in official pronouncements has caused political debate, with Congress seeking clarification on the actual events and military outcomes of Operation Sindoor. The government has defended its actions, claiming that the operation considerably reduced terrorist capabilities and strengthened India’s determination to combat cross-border terrorism.
