Centre Rebuts Opposition Over Operation Sindoor: Detailed Clarifications on Ceasefire, Diplomacy, Security Lapses and India’s Response

In a powerful counteroffensive during the Lok Sabha session, the Narendra Modi-led government issued a comprehensive, point-by-point rebuttal to Opposition allegations surrounding Operation Sindoor, the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the May 7 counteroffensive, and subsequent Operation Mahadev.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar presented an extensive account of the Centre's actions, underscoring India’s military and diplomatic resolve in the face of adversity.

1. Ceasefire and Diplomatic Context

Following a four-day military confrontation, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire on May 10, post a hotline exchange between their respective Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs). The Opposition, however, questioned the influence of foreign powers—particularly citing U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks on mediation and trade incentives.

Rajnath Singh clarified:
"Operation Sindoor was not paused under any pressure but only after its strategic objectives were achieved. It was never intended to seize territory but to dismantle terror infrastructure. Pakistan accepted defeat and sought a cessation of hostilities, to which we consented—with a warning that any further provocation would trigger a fresh response."

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar added:
"The ceasefire request was formally conveyed through the Pakistani DGMO. There were no direct calls between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump after the initial condolence call on April 22. All suggestions of external pressure are unfounded."

Home Minister Amit Shah stated:
"India struck 100 km inside Pakistani territory, disabling six enemy radar systems. Unlike Pakistan, which targeted civilian areas, India confined its precision strikes to military installations. On May 10, Pakistan’s DGMO reached out to ours, following which the conflict was halted at 5 PM."

2. Diplomatic Mobilisation and Global Support

Addressing allegations of diplomatic failure, Dr. Jaishankar highlighted the intense engagement undertaken in the lead-up to Operation Sindoor.
"There were 27 diplomatic calls from my office, nearly 20 calls at the Prime Ministerial level, and over 35 formal communications from global leaders supporting India’s right to self-defence."

He emphasized that of the 193 United Nations member states, only three—excluding Pakistan—opposed India’s military action. "This overwhelming global backing is a testament to our diplomatic preparedness and the clarity of our narrative against terrorism."

He further pointed to statements from key multilateral groupings:

• Quad unequivocally condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirmed its stand against cross-border terrorism.
  
  
• BRICS, including China, Russia, and Iran, also denounced the attack and reiterated their commitment to combating terrorism in all forms.

Dr. Jaishankar also cited the U.S. designation of The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization—an outcome he attributed to India’s sustained diplomatic pressure. He linked this achievement to the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

3. India’s Losses and Security Resilience

While refraining from disclosing operational specifics, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reassured the nation that no critical defence assets were compromised.
“Our Air Defence and Counter-Drone systems functioned flawlessly. No key military installations were damaged, and our security forces remained unscathed."

Singh rebuked Opposition queries on the number of Indian aircraft shot down.
"The more pertinent question should be: How many enemy installations did we destroy? The answer is—many."

4. On Security Failure and Legacy Issues

Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged the breach in Pahalgam but criticized the Opposition’s selective amnesia.
“Under the UPA, over 25 major terror attacks occurred in six years, with close to 1,000 casualties. What was done then? Nothing.”

He recalled that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA), introduced in 2002 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was repealed by the Congress-led government in 2004.
"Why was a tough anti-terror law scrapped? Who benefited from this repeal?"

Shah further argued that decades of policy missteps by the Congress were responsible for present-day challenges, including the existence of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
“From accepting Partition to gifting away 80% of Indus waters in 1960 and sidelining PoK in the 1971 Simla Agreement—the Congress has repeatedly failed the nation.”

5. Eliminating the Perpetrators: Operation Mahadev

Responding to questions on the fate of the Pahalgam attackers, Shah revealed that on May 7, the Indian forces had neutralized 100 militants.
“This government doesn’t send dossiers—we act. On May 9, we destroyed 11 of Pakistan’s air bases, crippling their offensive capabilities.”

Operation Mahadev, launched on May 22, was based on actionable human intelligence. By that evening, Shah had reached Srinagar, and security forces mobilized rapidly to intercept fleeing terrorists near the Dachigam forest range.

The operation concluded with the elimination of three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives:

• Suleman alias Hashim Musa (alleged mastermind)
  
  
• Jibran
  
  
• Hamza Afghani

Their identities were confirmed through a coordinated month-long intelligence operation combining human assets and technical surveillance.

The government’s detailed rebuttal in the Lok Sabha not only countered the Opposition’s narrative but also showcased India's multidimensional response—military, diplomatic, and political—to a serious national security challenge. Ministers reaffirmed that India would continue to act decisively against terrorism, with global support and domestic resolve.