At least 100 terrorists killed: Rajnath at all-party meet-OxBig News Network

A day after the Indian military hit nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as part of Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed political parties that least 100 terrorists and their associates were neutralised in the non-escalatory strikes.

Chairing an all-party meeting at the Parliament House Complex here, Rajnath also said the operation, a national response after the dastardly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, was “not yet over”.

Quoting the Defence Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju later said, “Raksha mantri told the meeting that it was an ongoing operation, which is why technical details cannot be shared. This was also why officials from the armed forces were not present at the meeting as they were busy with the operation.”

Rajnath also told leaders that while India did not want any escalation, it would respond appropriately should Pakistan launch an attack. He was speaking to politics parties just hours before the Defence Ministry issued a statement confirming that the Indian military had on the night of May 7 and 8 thwarted attempts by Pakistan to engage military targets across 15 locations at home and neutralised an air defence radar at Lahore.

The meeting saw the Opposition fully back the Indian response with Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge saying, “We fully support the government at this time of crisis.”

Though Kharge lamented the absence of PM Narendra Modi from the meeting, he said, “We do not wish to criticise anyone at this trying hour.”

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and CPM’s John Brittas sought a special session of Parliament to send out a message of national resolve after the Pahalgam attack.

Rijiju said the Defence Minister shared details of the non-escalatory operation with the Opposition and other parties and said the strikes were meant to take out terrorists as India exercised its right to respond. He said the armed forces exercised extreme caution and sensitivity not to affect civilians and the operation was focused on select terrorist-training camps operating from Pakistan and the PoK.

Data on casualties from Operation Sindoor was formally shared with the Opposition for the first time, with Rajnath saying that data on further casualties was being collated.

After Wednesday’s operation, the exact number of terrorists killed in the strikes was not immediately known, though estimates ranged from 70 to 100 casualties.

Some opposition members are also learnt to have sought clarity from the government on reports regarding a Rafale jet reportedly being shot down by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor and whether the government should counter this propaganda. There was no response from the government on the query, sources privy to the developments said.

Broadly, the Opposition struck a note of unity at the meeting. “In this moment of crisis, we stand with the government. We listened to everything they shared. In the national interest, they said that matters of defence and security are confidential and cannot be fully disclosed. All of us expressed our support and said that during this time, we are with you. Whatever work you are doing, continue with it–we will stand by you in the interest of the nation,” said Kharge.

Rahul said the Opposition fully supported the government. “We gave full support. Some things cannot be discussed. Everyone supported the government,” he said.

Trinamool Congress’ Sudip Bandyopadhyay sought that the PM convene a meeting with all parties on the operation. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi complimented the armed forces and the government for Operation Sindoor and demanded that India should work to get Pakistan added to the Financial Action Task Force grey list and to get The Resistance Force proscribed.

“Across party lines, political leaders said there is no place for politics in such critical times. All leaders unanimously congratulated our armed forces on the success of Operation Sindoor and assured their full support to the government, with no dissent whatsoever,” said Rijiju. Home Minister Amit Shah and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also attended the meeting.