Why Rahul Gandhi Was Unhappy With India's 'No Escalation' Message To Pakistan Post Operation Sindoor

Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at the Defence Minister's statement, questioning the government's decision to inform Pakistan after targeting terror sites, that only non-military targets were hit, and that India did not seek escalation. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 to avenge the brutal Pahalgam terror attack.

Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha (Photo Credit: IANS)

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, during the discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lower House, strongly criticised the government's handling of cross-border strikes. Referring to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, Gandhi said that it was "clearly organised and orchestrated by the Pakistani State." He also took a swipe at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's statement, questioning the government's decision to inform Pakistan after targeting terror sites, that only non-military targets were hit, and that India did not seek escalation. He also claimed that this move signalled a lack of political will in New Delhi. 

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 to avenge the brutal Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Armed Forces targeted the terrorists' infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).

“Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "A brutal attack (Pahalgam), heartless attack organised and orchestrated clearly by the Pakistani State. Young people, old people were murdered in cold blood, mercilessly. We have, together, every single person in this House, condemned Pakistan,” Gandhi said. 

“Yesterday, I watched Rajnath Singh's speech. I listen quite carefully when people speak. He said that Operation Sindoor began at 1.05 in the morning. He said that Operation Sindoor lasted 22 minutes. Then he said the most shocking thing - at 1.35, we called Pakistan and told them that we have hit non-military targets and we do not want escalation,” he said. 

“Maybe he does not understand what he revealed. The DGMO of India was told by the Government of India to ask for a ceasefire at 1.35 at night itself on the night of Operation Sindoor… You directly told Pakistan your political will that you do not have the political will to fight, that you do not want to fight..." Rahul Gandhi elaborated. 

#WATCH | Discussion on Operation Sindoor | Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi says, "Let us now move to #OperationSindoor. Yesterday I watched Rajnath Singh's speech. I listen quite carefully when people speak. He said that Operation Sindoor began at 1.05 in the morning. He said that… pic.twitter.com/f5ICcNuxV7 — ANI (@ANI) July 29, 2025

Rajnath Singh In Lok Sabha 

The Defence Minister, while speaking in the Lok Sabha on Monday, clarified that the objective of Operation Sindoor was not to cross the border or capture the territory; it was to eliminate terror nurseries which Pakistan had nurtured for years, and provide justice to the innocent families who lost their loved ones in cross-border attacks.

Rajnath Singh also informed the House that over 100 terrorists, their trainers, handlers, and associates were killed in well-coordinated strikes by India’s forces at nine terror infrastructure targets in Pakistan and PoJK with precision. He added that most of the terrorists belonged to organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen, which have the open support of the Pakistan Army and ISI.

“The objective was never to wage war but to compel the adversary to bow down through demonstrative use of force,” he said, asserting that none of the soldiers suffered any casualties during the Operation.

The Defence Minister also added that the Indian Armed Forces only targeted those who were continuously involved in trying to attack India while supporting terrorists.

Opposition In Rajya Sabha 

Calling the April 22 Pahalgam attack an "intelligence failure", Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Tuesday called on Home Minister Amit Shah to take responsibility for the attack.

Speaking during the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Upper House, Kharge raised questions on the accountability of the government, further claiming repeated intelligence lapses in the country since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to rule.

(with ANI inputs)