<p class="bodytext">The disclosure by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan that India did suffer losses of aircraft during Operation Sindoor has come after the government’s evasive responses on the matter. Stating that the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost fighter jets, without mentioning how many, Gen Chauhan said tactical errors were spotted and a quick course correction was initiated. The IAF’s Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had earlier acknowledged that losses are “a part of combat” and said all IAF pilots returned home safely. His statement had given rise to varied interpretations, speculations, and questions within the country and outside, some of which have now been answered by the CDS. This admission does not take anything away from Operation Sindoor. Losses are inevitable in any conflict and the nation has to be prepared for them and to accept them.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The general’s statement, however, raises new questions. He talked about the losses during a media interview in Singapore, at a security conference, three weeks after the conflict. The questions posed to the government did not pertain to the strategic or operational details of the conflict. Considering that the government and the leaders of the ruling political coalition evaded them, this late revelation made by the CDS gives the impression that information was initially suppressed. There has been criticism of the general on social media for his remarks. There is no way to control narratives on social media but the backlash also reveals the popular perception about the war.</p>.Poetry and powerful music: Army's sharp social media tactic hammer in Op Sindoor message.<p class="bodytext">The demand by the Opposition parties for a special parliament session to discuss Operation Sindoor should be seen in this light. A war, whatever its scale and nature, is a major national event. Operation Sindoor has added another dimension to the country’s relations with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself talked about it. The parliament, being the country’s highest democratic forum, is the right platform for discussions on the matter. It has the right to seek information, to ask questions, and to hold the government accountable for its decisions. All democracies recognise that, and there are precedents in India. The Opposition was with the government and extended full support to the Armed Forces during the conflict. It should be noted that it was not the government but the nation that was in conflict with Pakistan, and the nation has the right to know how it was handled. Piecemeal details from multiple sources may not reveal the real picture.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The disclosure by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan that India did suffer losses of aircraft during Operation Sindoor has come after the government’s evasive responses on the matter. Stating that the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost fighter jets, without mentioning how many, Gen Chauhan said tactical errors were spotted and a quick course correction was initiated. The IAF’s Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had earlier acknowledged that losses are “a part of combat” and said all IAF pilots returned home safely. His statement had given rise to varied interpretations, speculations, and questions within the country and outside, some of which have now been answered by the CDS. This admission does not take anything away from Operation Sindoor. Losses are inevitable in any conflict and the nation has to be prepared for them and to accept them.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The general’s statement, however, raises new questions. He talked about the losses during a media interview in Singapore, at a security conference, three weeks after the conflict. The questions posed to the government did not pertain to the strategic or operational details of the conflict. Considering that the government and the leaders of the ruling political coalition evaded them, this late revelation made by the CDS gives the impression that information was initially suppressed. There has been criticism of the general on social media for his remarks. There is no way to control narratives on social media but the backlash also reveals the popular perception about the war.</p>.Poetry and powerful music: Army's sharp social media tactic hammer in Op Sindoor message.<p class="bodytext">The demand by the Opposition parties for a special parliament session to discuss Operation Sindoor should be seen in this light. A war, whatever its scale and nature, is a major national event. Operation Sindoor has added another dimension to the country’s relations with Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has himself talked about it. The parliament, being the country’s highest democratic forum, is the right platform for discussions on the matter. It has the right to seek information, to ask questions, and to hold the government accountable for its decisions. All democracies recognise that, and there are precedents in India. The Opposition was with the government and extended full support to the Armed Forces during the conflict. It should be noted that it was not the government but the nation that was in conflict with Pakistan, and the nation has the right to know how it was handled. Piecemeal details from multiple sources may not reveal the real picture.</p>
