Rahul Gandhi Questions Government on Operation Sindoor and IAF Losses
Raising Concerns Over National Security
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has recently posed sharp questions to the central government regarding the Indian Air Force's losses during Operation Sindoor. He criticized External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's statement, which claimed that India had informed Pakistan about targeting terrorist bases at the onset of the operation.
Accusations of National Security Compromise
Labeling this act as a 'compromise of national security' and an 'offense,' Rahul inquired who authorized this decision and how many aircraft the Indian Air Force lost as a result. The BJP has seized upon Rahul's inquiries to challenge him further. Meanwhile, defense analysts have also reacted strongly to his demands, with some offering partial support.
Public Disclosure of Sensitive Data
A significant question arises: can the central government refuse to disclose such data? Is it possible for the Indian government to classify any information as 'secret' under the Official Secrets Act of 1923?
Official Secrets Act and Military Operations
Under the Official Secrets Act of 1923, when matters pertain to national security, foreign policy, or strategic interests, the Ministry of Defence, armed forces, and government have the authority to keep military operation details confidential. Rahul Gandhi has persistently demanded to know how many Indian military and civilian aircraft have been shot down by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The decision to release official figures lies entirely with the military and the government.
Validity of Rahul Gandhi's Questions
Rahul argues that informing Pakistan before Operation Sindoor was strategically flawed, leading to losses for India. Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 civilian deaths, India initiated Operation Sindoor on May 6-7. This operation targeted over 100 terrorists at sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Rahul claims that prior knowledge given to Pakistan resulted in damage to the Indian Air Force, prompting him to ask two critical questions: who approved this decision, and how many aircraft were lost?
Government's Response and Clarification
The Ministry of External Affairs dismissed Rahul's allegations, stating that Jaishankar's comments were taken out of context. According to the ministry, Pakistan was informed after the operation commenced, not beforehand, that India was targeting only terrorist sites, not military installations. The Director General of Military Operations, Rajeev Ghai, clarified on May 11 that Pakistan was notified at the operation's initial stages, but they ignored the warning.
Expert Opinions on National Security
The Official Secrets Act of 1923 prohibits the public disclosure of sensitive information related to national security. Defense expert Major General (Retired) G.D. Bakshi noted that data regarding losses during military operations, especially human casualties, is sensitive for national security. Publicizing such information could reveal India's military capabilities and strategies to adversaries. This is why the government may share material losses, like aircraft, but keeps human losses confidential, as it could affect troop morale and national sentiment.
Material Loss vs. Human Loss
Defense analyst Professor Harsh Pant stated that many democratic nations, including India, are less hesitant to acknowledge material losses during military operations, as it does not directly expose technical or strategic weaknesses. For instance, during the Kargil War in 1999, India disclosed the number of damaged aircraft but did not immediately release details on human losses. Revealing human casualties could incite public outrage or distrust towards the government, while admitting material losses is considered strategically less risky.
Limited Disclosure of Material Losses
Experts suggest that limited information about material losses (like aircraft and tanks) can be disclosed over time, similar to practices by countries like the U.S. and the U.K. However, in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, information about the number of aircraft lost by either side has not been disclosed, especially when the conflict is still active or could influence future strategies.