NEW DELHI: Government on Thursday said at least 100 hardcore terrorists were killed in Indian strikes on terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK), and emphasised that Operation Sindoor , launched to avenge the slaughter of tourists in Pahalgam, was ongoing.
The number given by defence minister Rajnath Singh at an all-party meeting was the first count on the likely toll of India's precision strikes on terror camps which suffered considerable damage. "It is difficult to give an exact estimate, as the operation is ongoing, and we are collating details," Singh told the meeting while asserting that "India will give a befitting reply if Pakistan attacks". While Singh refrained from disclosing details of operations, saying they were still under way, he assured representatives of parties that India had enough stocks of ammunition. tnn
India has enough ammo, Rajnath is said to have told all-party meet
We have enough ammunition stock. Our defence PSUs have stepped up production and have the capacity to further increase the output. Moreover, we also have private sector contributing in a big way," a source quoted Rajnath Singh as saying at the meeting that was attended by home minister Amit Shah, BJP chief and health minister J P Nadda, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, foreign minister S Jaishankar, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and others.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that political parties pledged unity in the fight against terrorism. "Leaders expressed their views responsibly, recognising the major challenge the country faces," he added.
Sources said Singh told the meeting India was not seeking an escalation but would not flinch if there was provocation from Pakistan. Rijiju said that parties were unanimous in congratulating the armed forces on the success of Operation Sindoor. They expressed concern for safety in the border areas, but also promised support to the government's future actions. "In this moment of crisis, we are with the govt," Kharge told reporters, a view echoed by Rahul and other opposition leaders.
"The defence minister said this is a sensitive time, and, in the interest of the country, detailed questions should not be asked, as they pertain to defence secrets," Kharge said. However, he expressed disappointment over PM Narendra Modi's absence from the meeting. Sources said some opposition netas referenced Pakistan's claim of downing Indian fighter jets and questioned whether the government needed to counter such propaganda.
Rahul and CPM's John Brittas suggested convening a special session of Parliament to signal united national resolve. "Certain things should not be discussed. Everyone simply gave their support," Rahul told reporters.
JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha expressed satisfaction over the fact that terror camps linked to all major attacks in India, beginning in 2001, had been destroyed. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi complimented the armed forces and the government for conducting Operation Sindoor. "I also said we should run an international campaign against The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, and the UN Security Council should designate it as a terror organisation. We need to ask the United States to designate it as a foreign terrorist organisation," he said. Sources said Owaisi raised concerns about online abuse targeting Himanshi Narwal, wife of naval officer Vinay Narwal, one of the 26 people killed in Pahalgam. Some opposition leaders urged measures to ensure communal harmony.
The number given by defence minister Rajnath Singh at an all-party meeting was the first count on the likely toll of India's precision strikes on terror camps which suffered considerable damage. "It is difficult to give an exact estimate, as the operation is ongoing, and we are collating details," Singh told the meeting while asserting that "India will give a befitting reply if Pakistan attacks". While Singh refrained from disclosing details of operations, saying they were still under way, he assured representatives of parties that India had enough stocks of ammunition. tnn
India has enough ammo, Rajnath is said to have told all-party meet
We have enough ammunition stock. Our defence PSUs have stepped up production and have the capacity to further increase the output. Moreover, we also have private sector contributing in a big way," a source quoted Rajnath Singh as saying at the meeting that was attended by home minister Amit Shah, BJP chief and health minister J P Nadda, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, foreign minister S Jaishankar, leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and others.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju said that political parties pledged unity in the fight against terrorism. "Leaders expressed their views responsibly, recognising the major challenge the country faces," he added.
Sources said Singh told the meeting India was not seeking an escalation but would not flinch if there was provocation from Pakistan. Rijiju said that parties were unanimous in congratulating the armed forces on the success of Operation Sindoor. They expressed concern for safety in the border areas, but also promised support to the government's future actions. "In this moment of crisis, we are with the govt," Kharge told reporters, a view echoed by Rahul and other opposition leaders.
"The defence minister said this is a sensitive time, and, in the interest of the country, detailed questions should not be asked, as they pertain to defence secrets," Kharge said. However, he expressed disappointment over PM Narendra Modi's absence from the meeting. Sources said some opposition netas referenced Pakistan's claim of downing Indian fighter jets and questioned whether the government needed to counter such propaganda.
Rahul and CPM's John Brittas suggested convening a special session of Parliament to signal united national resolve. "Certain things should not be discussed. Everyone simply gave their support," Rahul told reporters.
JD(U)'s Sanjay Jha expressed satisfaction over the fact that terror camps linked to all major attacks in India, beginning in 2001, had been destroyed. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi complimented the armed forces and the government for conducting Operation Sindoor. "I also said we should run an international campaign against The Resistance Front, a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, and the UN Security Council should designate it as a terror organisation. We need to ask the United States to designate it as a foreign terrorist organisation," he said. Sources said Owaisi raised concerns about online abuse targeting Himanshi Narwal, wife of naval officer Vinay Narwal, one of the 26 people killed in Pahalgam. Some opposition leaders urged measures to ensure communal harmony.
