'Operation Sindoor to resume if ... ': Rajnath Singh tells Lok Sabha how Indian strikes rattled Pakistan; dismisses 'pressure' charge

Time of India

12 hours ago

Defence minister Rajnath Singh
NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday led the government's charge in the Parliament debate on
Operation Sindoor
, the retaliatory strike targeting terrorists and terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), after the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam's Baisaran meadow that left 22 civilians dead.
In his point-by-point rebuttal to Opposition charges following the operation, the defence minister reiterated that the mission was paused without any external pressure, dismissing any such claims as absolutely baseless.
Here's what Rajnath Singh said on Operation Sindoor
"Soon after
Pahalgam attack
, our Armed Forces took action and hit with precision the nine terrorist infra sites in which more than 100 terorrists, their trainers and handlers were targeted," Rajnath Singh said.
He said: "In this military operation, 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"
"The entire operation was concluded within 22 minutes," he said in Lok Sabha.
"Our actions were entirely in self-defence, neither provocative nor expansionist. Yet, on May 10, 2025, at approximately 1.30am, Pakistan launched a large-scale attack on India using missiles, drones, rockets, and other long-range weapons," the minister said.
Rajnath Singh on India pausing Operation Sindoor
"India paused its action because the predecided 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," the minister said.
"On 10th May, when the Indian Air Force struck hard at multiple airfields in Pakistan, Pakistan admitted defeat and offered to cease hostilities. This offer was accepted with the caveat that this Operation has only been paused. If any misadventure occurs from Pakistan's side in the future, this Operation will be resumed," Rajnath Singh warned.
Rajnath Singh on Indian defence against Pakistan
"S-400, Akash Missile system, Air Defence guns proved to be very useful and completely foiled this attack by Pakistan," he said.
I am proud to say that our Air Defence system, Counter-Drone system, and electronic equipment completely foiled this attack by Pakistan. Pakistan could not hit any of our targets, and none of our important assets were damaged. Our security arrangements were impregnable, and every attack was thwarted," he said.