'Deliberately Misleading': Centre Hits Back After Oppn Targets Rajnath's 'No Op Sindoor Deaths' Remark

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 18:27 IST

The Ministry of Defence said certain social media posts had "misrepresented" Singh's address, calling the interpretation "deliberately misleading" and "factually incorrect".

As the government released the names of soldiers killed during Operation Sindoor last year, the Opposition dug up a speech by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in which he had said no Indian soldier was killed during the operation.

However, the Ministry of Defence said certain social media posts had “misrepresented" Singh’s address, calling the interpretation “deliberately misleading" and “factually incorrect".

Explaining the context of the Defence Minister’s remarks, the ministry said that at the time of Singh’s address, a persistent narrative had emerged in sections of the media and on social media claiming that Indian pilots had been lost during Operation Sindoor.

“This narrative was entirely false, yet it was being amplified aggressively with the clear intent of diminishing the success of the operation and demoralising public sentiment. It was in direct reference to this specific and mischievous narrative that the Raksha Mantri made the statement in question. His remarks were, therefore, a targeted and contextually specific response to a falsehood that was gaining dangerous traction at that moment," the ministry said.

The ministry added that Rajnath Singh’s statement in Parliament was, in its entirety, “a proud and accurate account" of the success of Operation Sindoor, during which the Indian Armed Forces demonstrated “unmatched precision, resolve and military professionalism".

“During the operation, more than 100 terrorists and Pakistani soldiers were neutralised, while Pakistani air bases and military deployments along the Line of Control suffered extensive and significant infrastructure damage. The address was a fitting tribute to the courage and capability of the Indian Defence Forces, and a clear message to those who wish India harm," it said.

Six Soldiers Killed During Operation Sindoor

The government on Friday released the names of six personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor. They are Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, Rifleman Sunil Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, Agniveer Murali Naik, Havildar Sunil Kumar Singh and Indian Air Force Sergeant Surendra Kumar.

Their names will be inscribed at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

The government also said it has taken all necessary steps to provide educational, healthcare and other welfare benefits to the families and dependents of the fallen personnel.

Opposition Targets Government

Congress leader Pawan Khera accused Rajnath Singh of misleading Parliament and the nation, alleging that the sacrifice of the six soldiers had been concealed.

Khera said hiding the deaths of the soldiers amounted to an insult to their sacrifice.

About the Author

Saurabh VermaSenior Sub-editor

Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19

News india 'Deliberately Misleading': Centre Hits Back After Oppn Targets Rajnath's 'No Op Sindoor Deaths' Remark

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