Key Highlights:
✔ Rajnath Singh criticized the Opposition for focusing on “wrong questions” regarding lost jets instead of mission success.
✔ He denied any US pressure behind the ceasefire, stating objectives were fully achieved before halting operations.
✔ The Defence Minister asserted that Pakistan “accepted defeat” and pleaded for hostilities to end.
Rajnath Singh’s Fiery Defence in Lok Sabha: Mission Over Metrics
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a staunch defence of India’s military actions in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, countering the Opposition’s scrutiny with a mix of rhetoric and resolve. During a heated Lok Sabha session, Singh dismissed key questions raised by critics, framing them as distractions from the larger victory of Operation Sindoor.
1. “Wrong Questions on Fighter Jets”
Opposition leaders have persistently questioned the number of Indian Air Force jets lost during the May 7 strikes. Singh, however, refused to entertain the query, likening it to “focusing on a broken pencil instead of exam results.”
“When a student scores well, do we ask if his pen leaked? The result matters—and the result is that Operation Sindoor achieved its goals fully,” he asserted. Taking a swipe at critics, he added, “They ask about our planes but not how many Pakistani jets were downed. Shouldn’t the question be: Were terror bases destroyed? The answer is yes.”
2. Denying US Role in Ceasefire
Amid speculation that the Trump administration influenced India’s decision to halt operations on May 10, Singh categorically denied external pressure. “We stopped because all objectives were met. To claim otherwise is baseless,” he declared, emphasizing that the aim was never territorial capture but “punishing Pakistan’s proxy terrorism.”
He revealed that Pakistan, after suffering heavy losses, pleaded: “Ab rok deejiye, bahot ho gaya (Please stop, enough).” India agreed—but with a warning: any fresh provocation would reignite military action.
3. Silence on Intelligence Lapses
Singh sidestepped queries on whether intelligence failures enabled the Pahalgam attack, stating operational details “cannot be disclosed mid-investigation.” Instead, he redirected focus to the broader success of India’s retaliatory strikes.
The Bigger Picture
The Defence Minister’s message was clear: national security isn’t about tallying losses but ensuring strategic wins. His combative tone signaled the government’s refusal to let “small issues” overshadow military achievements—a stance likely to fuel further political debate.
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