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

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday led the government’s charge in the Parliament debate on Operation Sindoor . The operation was a 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.

"Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, India is no longer the country it once was. Today, dossiers have been replaced by decisive action. India no longer tolerates terror; it responds. And it now has the strength to strike at the very root of terrorism and uproot it completely," the defence minister said during the Operation Sindoor debate.

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.
• "As the Prime Minister has rightly said, Operation Sindoor has only been paused, not called off. If needed, if Pakistan dares to repeat any misadventure, we are fully prepared to respond with even greater intensity and decisiveness," Rajnath Singh said.

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.
• "India has demonstrated not just its military strength, but also its national resolve, moral clarity, and political maturity. From now on, every act of terrorism will be met with a decisive and unambiguous response. We have drawn a new Lakshman Rekha (red line)...those who shelter and support terrorism will find no refuge. India will not bow to nuclear blackmail or any form of external pressure," Rajnath Singh tells Lok Sabha.

'Operation Sindoor a success', says Rajnath Singh

• "To the Opposition, I say this, 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," Rajnath Singh tells the opposition in Lok Sabha.
• "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. Not a single one of our soldiers was harmed," he said.
• "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. Unfortunately, that is exactly what seems to be happening with some of our colleagues in the opposition".

Our forces achieved every objective: Rajanth Singh

• "In any exam, what ultimately matters is the result. If a student scores well, it’s the marks that should count, not whether their pencil broke or they lost their pen during the test. Likewise, in the case of Operation Sindoor, what matters is the outcome. And the result is this: Our forces achieved every objective they set out to accomplish, fully and decisively," he said.
• "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. When it comes to self-defence, our political leadership will act decisively and without external pressure. Our missiles will cross physical borders, and our brave soldiers will break the enemy’s spine," says Rajnath in the Lower House.