Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said over 100 terrorists were eliminated during Operation Sindoor, which saw precision strikes on nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
Published Jul 28, 2025 | 10:43 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 28, 2025 | 10:43 PM
Lok Sabha debate on Operation Sindoor: India warns Pakistan, hails precision strikes after Pahalgam attack
Synopsis: A heated Lok Sabha debate on ‘Operation Sindoor’ unfolded on 28 July, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warning Pakistan of renewed strikes if provoked again. Singh praised the military’s precision operation following the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. He clarified the mission wasn’t to start a war, but to deter Pakistan’s proxy terror strategy
A high-stakes debate on ‘Operation Sindoor’ unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Monday, 28 July, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressing the House on India’s military and diplomatic response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, including several tourists.
Launching the debate, Rajnath Singh issued a stern warning to Pakistan, stating that “any further misadventure will be met with renewed strikes.”
He credited the armed forces for executing a “politico-military operation” that was not aimed at war, but at compelling the adversary to retreat. “The objective was to punish Pakistan for waging a proxy war through terrorism,” he said.
The Defence Minister revealed that more than 100 terrorists were neutralised in May during Operation Sindoor, which involved precision strikes on nine terror infrastructure targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
“Our forces were given complete freedom to choose targets. This was not a reaction, it was a calibrated message,” he said, asserting that India halted military operations only after achieving its stated goals.
Rejecting Opposition claims of international pressure forcing a pause in the operation, Singh added, “Saying this was due to pressure is baseless and absolutely wrong. In my political life, I have always tried not to speak lies.”
Drawing sharp contrasts with past responses to terrorism, Singh said, “After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, the government of that time chose talks. Today’s India, under Modi’s leadership, does not tolerate terror — it uproots it.”
He argued that if India had carried out retaliatory action post-Mumbai, Pakistan’s terror calculus might have changed. “Today’s India thinks and acts differently. This is Modi’s new India — prepared to go to any lengths to defend national security,” Singh declared.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar outlined India’s global outreach following the Pahalgam attack, clarifying that “there was no conversation about trade” with the United States during discussions on the incident.
He also cited international condemnation of the attack, including statements from Quad and BRICS, calling for the perpetrators to be swiftly brought to justice. “Quad unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism, including cross-border terror,” he said.
Addressing Opposition questions about Pakistan’s IMF loan post-attack, Jaishankar pointed out that Pakistan is a “serial borrower”, having secured loans 16–17 times since 2000.
“Those raising concerns today about a $7 billion IMF package should remember that a $15 billion package went through during their tenure,” he added.
Jaishankar also referenced Pakistan’s record with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), noting that under the Modi government, Islamabad remained on the grey list for 1,576 days between 2018 and 2022. He emphasised that Pakistan remains in the FATF’s “enhanced follow-up” category as of May 2025.
On his own visit to China, Jaishankar dismissed speculation: “I did not go for the Olympics or for secret deals. I went to convey India’s firm position on terrorism, trade restrictions, and de-escalation.”
In related developments, security forces killed three terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam attack, in a joint Indian Army–J&K Police operation codenamed ‘Operation Mahadev’.
The encounter occurred near Dachigam National Park in Harwan, Srinagar.
The Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the operation took place in the Lidwas area, underlining continuing efforts to dismantle terror networks operating within Jammu and Kashmir.
(Compiled by Ananya Rao)
