Statements being made in the context of the Defense Minister's statement on Operation Sandur are misleading and incorrect: Ministry of Defense

The Ministry of Defense has issued a clarification on the controversy being spread on social media regarding the statement made by Defense Minister Raj Nath Singh in Parliament last year about the soldiers who were martyred during Operation Sandor. The ministry said that the things being said about it are deliberately misleading and factually incorrect.

After the names of six soldiers who were martyred during Operation Sandor were recently inscribed on the National War Memorial, questions are being raised on social media citing Mr. Singh's statement in Parliament about the number of soldiers martyred in Operation Sandor, and it is being said that the government has hidden this information.

The Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying that in some posts on social media, an attempt has been made to present the speech made by the Defense Minister in Parliament on July 28 last year in a wrong way. In these posts, a part of the speech has been deliberately selected and misinterpreted, such as the Defense Minister saying that 'no Indian soldier was killed during Operation Sandor'. These things are deliberately misleading and factually incorrect.

The statement said that those who have tried to create controversy over the Defense Minister's parliamentary speech have deliberately ignored the broader context of his words. The ministry said, "It should be remembered that at the time of the Defense Minister's speech, a particular and loudly spread rumor was circulating in some sections of the media and on social media, which claimed that Indian pilots were killed during Operation Sandor. This was completely false, yet it was being aggressively spread to downplay the success of the operation and demoralize the public. The Defense Minister's statement was a response to this particular and mischievous narrative. Therefore, his words were a correct and contextual response to a dangerous and false rumor that was spreading at that time."

The ministry said that it is also necessary to understand the Defense Minister's speech in its full and correct context. His statement in Parliament was a proud and accurate account of the glorious success of Operation Sandor. It was an operation in which the Indian defense forces demonstrated unprecedented accuracy, determination, and military professionalism. During the operation, more than 100 terrorists and Pakistani soldiers were killed, and significant damage was inflicted on their basic infrastructure, including the Pakistani airbase and the Line of Control (LoC). The speech was a fitting tribute to the courage and capability of the Indian defense forces, and a clear message to those who wish to harm India.

The statement said that the Defense Minister and the Government of India have respect, gratitude, and devotion for every member of the Indian defense forces, and especially for those who have sacrificed their lives in the defense of the country. Their sacrifice is the highest form of service to the motherland, and it will always be remembered with the respect, pride, and solemnity it deserves. The government has ensured that their names are inscribed on the walls of the National War Memorial, honoring their great sacrifice. The government has taken all necessary steps to provide concessions to the families and dependents of these heroes in education, health, and other facilities.