Congress Demands Transparency on Military Losses During Operation Sindoor
The Congress party has called for greater transparency from the government regarding military losses during Operation Sindoor. Senior military officials have acknowledged the loss of Indian aircraft, prompting Congress leaders to demand clarity on the situation. Uttam Kumar Reddy, a former Air Force pilot, emphasized the need for the government to disclose the number of aircraft lost to Pakistan. This call for transparency aligns with previous statements made by Rahul Gandhi, which have faced criticism from the BJP. The Chief of Defence Staff has also confirmed the losses, highlighting the importance of understanding the reasons behind them. Read on to learn more about this developing story.
| May 31, 2025, 19:05 IST
Congress Calls for Clarity on Military Casualties
The Congress party reiterated its demand for transparency from the government regarding military losses incurred during Operation Sindoor. Citing statements from senior military officials, Telangana's irrigation minister and former Air Force pilot, Uttam Kumar Reddy, emphasized the need for the government to disclose the number of Indian aircraft shot down by Pakistan. He urged the government to stop denying that fighter jets were lost, a fact acknowledged by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) himself. Previously, Air Marshal Bharti had indirectly referenced this in his briefing report with the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO).
Concerns Over Government's Silence
Reddy pointed out that the nation should recognize that, for some reason, the Indian government has not openly discussed the events that transpired. Earlier today, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan became the first Indian official to directly confirm that Indian aircraft were lost during Operation Sindoor. Speaking to Reuters at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Chauhan stated that while the exact number of lost aircraft is not crucial, understanding the reasons behind these losses and the subsequent actions to be taken is what truly matters. Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, the Chief of Air Staff, had previously mentioned in a press conference that 'losses are part of war.'
Agreement on Acknowledging Mistakes
Reddy expressed agreement with General Chauhan on the importance of acknowledging and rectifying mistakes. The Congress leader noted that this aligns with what Rahul Gandhi initially stated, which has faced significant backlash from the BJP through various negative campaigns. The BJP has been critical of Gandhi's call for more information regarding India's losses, with national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia labeling him as 'irresponsible' and a 'symbol of Pakistan.'