A 16-hour operation Sindoor fierce Debate Rocks Parliament

NEW DELHI, July 28, 2025 – The Monsoon Session of the Indian Parliament today witnessed a charged and extensive debate on “Operation Sindoor,” India’s retaliatory military strikes following the brutal Pahalgam terror attack.The Lok Sabha buckled down for a 16-hour session, as the government found itself under intense pressure to justify “Operation Sindoor.” Across the aisle, the Opposition, spearheaded by the Congress, launched a calculated assault, pinpointing intelligence lapses and international repercussions.

Shashi Tharoor’s stance on the “Operation Sindoor” debate in Parliament has thrown his relationship with the Congress party into sharper relief, with sources indicating he has flatly refused to align with the party’s critical line.

The senior Congress MP, known for his nuanced views and often independent approach, reportedly informed on Monday morning that he would not “contradict himself for the sake of party messaging.” This refers to his previous public praise for “Operation Sindoor” following the Pahalgam terror attack, where he commended the government’s decisive action.

For the critical 16-hour parliamentary debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and “Operation Sindoor,” India’s military response, along with the nearly 100-hour armed conflict that followed, Shashi Tharoor had been entrusted with the weighty task of leading the Congress’s (and the opposition’s) assault on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Opening the high-stakes debate, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a powerful defense of “Operation Sindoor,” hailing it as a “historic military action” and an “effective, decisive demonstration of our unwavering policy against terror.” He forcefully reiterated that the meticulously planned operation, a swift response to the devastating April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 innocent lives, had successfully targeted and neutralized over 100 terrorists across nine strategic locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Singh delivered a stark warning to Pakistan: the operation was merely “paused” and would unleash even greater intensity should there be any further “misadventure.” The stage is now set for Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to weigh in, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself anticipated to intervene in both Houses, ready to underscore the government’s ironclad stance on national security.

here’s what defence minister said On the success of Operation Sindoor:

• He staunchly defended Operation Sindoor as a “historic military action” and an “effective, decisive demonstration of our policy against terror.”

• He stated, “The entire operation was concluded within 22 minutes.”

• “Our forces successfully targeted and neutralized over 100 terrorists, their trainers, and handlers across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”

• “It is estimated that over a hundred terrorists, their trainers, handlers, and associates were killed. Most of these were linked to terrorist organisations such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.”

• He proudly announced, “No important military asset of ours was damaged. Not a single one of our soldiers was harmed.”

• “Operation Sindoor was a symbol of India’s strength, a clear message that if anyone dares to harm our citizens, India will not stay silent.“

• “Our forces achieved every objective they set out to accomplish, fully and decisively.”

On external pressure and the pause in operation:

• Addressing claims of foreign intervention, Singh declared, “India paused its action because the pre-decided political and military objectives were achieved. Saying that this operation was paused under any pressure is baseless and absolutely wrong.”

• “In my political life, I have always tried not to speak lies ever.”

• He revealed, “On May 10, when the Indian Air Force struck hard at multiple airfields in Pakistan, Pakistan admitted defeat and offered to cease hostilities.“

• “We accepted, but with the condition that this Operation has only been paused, not stopped. We made it clear that if Pakistan indulges in any misadventures in the future, the Operation will resume.”

• He echoed the Prime Minister’s words, “As the Prime Minister has rightly said, Operation Sindoor has only been paused, not called off.”

On warning Pakistan:

• “If needed, if Pakistan dares to repeat any misadventure, we are fully prepared to respond with even greater intensity and decisiveness.”

• He noted the effectiveness of India’s defence systems: “S-400, Akash missile system, air defence guns—these proved to be very useful and completely foiled this attack by Pakistan.”

On criticizing the Opposition:

• To the Opposition, he challenged, “If you truly wish to question something, ask this… Did we suffer any loss of our brave soldiers in this operation? The answer is no.”

• He urged, “If you must question something, ask whether Operation Sindoor achieved its objective. The answer is yes. Ask whether our forces struck down the masterminds behind those who desecrated the dignity of our sisters and daughters…the answer is yes.”

• “The Opposition is asking us how many jets we lost, but it is not asking how many jets of the enemy we have downed.”

• “When the goals are big, we must not get distracted by relatively smaller issues. Focusing too much on minor matters can divert attention from far more important concerns, like national security and the morale and honour of our soldiers.”

• He cited a past example: “In 1992, when we (BJP) were in Opposition, we did not ask the then government how many tanks and machines we lost; same was the case during the war of ’71.”

• He concluded with a pointed remark: “Results matter in any exam.”

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