'How Many Jets Downed?': Opposition Repeats Questions In Operation Sindoor Debate, Seeks Accountability For Pahalgam Attack

During the Lok Sabha’s special discussion on Operation Sindoor—India’s retaliatory campaign launched after the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack—members of the opposition vigorously challenged government responses, questioned accountability, and demanded deeper transparency.

Gaurav Gogoi (Congress MP, deputy leader in Lok Sabha) led the opposition charge, pointedly querying how terrorists managed to infiltrate Pahalgam. He stated, “Rajnath Singh ji gave a lot of information, but as Defence Minister, he never mentioned how terrorists from Pakistan reached Pahalgam and killed 26 people. It is our duty to ask these questions in the interest of the nation,” reported NDTV.

Gogoi also questioned strategic success: “They (Centre) said we attacked them inside their homes. But, they are also saying that Operation Sindoor is incomplete because Pakistan can do it again in the future. They said it themselves. Then how was the operation a success?”

He further asked, “How many of our fighter jets were downed?”—a pointed concern, since the country only has 35 Rafales. Gogoi also accused the government of evading direct responsibility: “In the end, who takes the responsibility of the Pahalgam attack? … Union HM and the Central Govt cannot hide behind the LG.”

K C Venugopal (Congress MP) highlighted obstacles in initiating debate, pressing that while the party had agreed to discuss Operation Sindoor, they also needed time to raise the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue in Bihar.

“We have already agreed for a discussion (on Operation Sindoor)… We requested the government to hold a discussion on SIR after discussing Operation Sindoor. We need permission of 30 seconds to raise and register that issue…” he said, adding, “I have a feeling the government didn’t want a discussion at all.”

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (TMC Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha) has also spoken. TMC MPs collectively joined the criticism and pushed for fuller debate and answers from the government.

Kalyan Banerjee (TMC MP) delivered a blistering attack on Prime Minister Modi's foreign policy tone. He asked, “PM Modi, why once you couldn't post on your ‘X’ handle that whatever the American President said is incorrect... The moment you stand in front of the American President, your height is reduced to 5 feet, and your chest is reduced to 36 inches from 56 inches. Why are you so afraid of the American President?”

Ramashankar Rajbhar (Samajwadi Party MP) aligned with the broader demand for accountability over security failures in Pahalgam. His party also backed calls for detailed answers on lapses and questioned why the focus on Operation Sindoor overshadowed earlier negligence.

Overall, the opposition demanded clear explanations on how the attackers bypassed security, the actual military losses—including downed jets—and why Home Ministry functionaries haven’t taken responsibility. They pressed the government to stop hiding behind institutional roles and to substantiate claims of operational success.

Also Read: ‘No Important Assets Damaged': Highlights From Rajnath Singh's Address On Operation Sindoor In Lok Sabha