LS Debate on Operation Sindoor: Congress Seeks Clarity on Jet Downing, Trump’s Claims

Rajnath Defends Operation, Says No Pressure to Pause Military Action

PTI, NEW DELHI, JULY 28, 2025 :  The Congress on Monday demanded that Home Minister Amit Shah take responsibility for the "security lapses" that allowed the Pahalgam terror attack to occur. They also called on the Centre to clarify how many Indian jets were downed during Operation Sindoor and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's actions regarding the halt of military action against Pakistan.

During a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on "India's Strong, Successful, and Decisive Operation Sindoor in Response to the Terror Attack in Pahalgam", Congress's deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi asked the government why it had refrained from occupying territory. He questioned, "If not today, then when will we take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir?"

Gogoi also criticized the government over US President Donald Trump’s claim, made "26 times", that he used trade pressure to bring about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. "They are still saying that Operation Sindoor is incomplete and Pakistan can do this again. Then how is this a success?" he asked.

The Congress leader further demanded to know from Prime Minister Modi: "If Pakistan was ready to kneel before India, why did you stop, and before whom did you surrender?"

Regarding the claims made by Trump, Gogoi said, "Trump has made the claim 26 times that he used the threat of trade to bring a ceasefire. He says five to six jets have been downed. One jet costs crores of rupees. That’s why we want to know from the Defence Minister: how many fighter jets were downed?"

He added that this information was important not only for the Indian citizens but also for the soldiers, who, according to him, were being lied to. "There are only 35 Rafale fighter jets in the country, and if some have been downed, it is a big loss," he noted.

In response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the House, saying that Operation Sindoor had been "paused" after the armed forces achieved their desired politico-military objectives. He asserted that there was "no pressure" to end the operation, and emphasized that if Pakistan indulges in any further misadventure, the operation would resume.

Rajnath Singh stated that the armed forces were always vigilant to defend India's borders. He described the military operation as an effective and well-coordinated strike against nine terror sites. "Before executing Operation Sindoor, our forces studied every aspect and chose the option that would cause maximum damage to terrorists while ensuring no harm to innocent civilians," Singh said.