Operation Sindoor turns one: Modi hails India’s military might, Congress demands answers on fallout

On the first anniversary of “Operation Sindoor,” the military action launched by India in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday led tributes to the armed forces, describing the operation as a defining moment in India’s fight against terrorism and a symbol of the country’s evolving military doctrine, technological strength and strategic resolve, even as the Opposition Congress renewed demands for greater transparency and institutional review of the operation and its aftermath.

In a series of posts on X marking one year of the operation, Modi praised the armed forces for what he called their “unparalleled courage, precision and resolve” in responding to the terror strike that had triggered widespread outrage across the country. “They gave a fitting response to those who dared to attack innocent Indians at Pahalgam. The entire nation salutes our forces for their valour,” the Prime Minister said.

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Seeking to transform the anniversary into a nationwide expression of solidarity with the military, Modi appealed to citizens to change their display pictures across social media platforms, including X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, using a commemorative image honouring the armed forces. “A year ago, during #OperationSindoor, our armed forces showcased their valour and gave a firm response to those who attacked our people. Every Indian is proud of our armed forces,” he wrote, adding, “As a mark of respect to our forces and their success during #OperationSindoor, let us all change our display pictures on social media.”

The Prime Minister described Operation Sindoor as an assertion of India’s “firm response against terrorism and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding national security,” saying the mission highlighted the “professionalism, preparedness and coordinated strength” of the armed forces. Modi also used the anniversary to underscore the government’s emphasis on defence self-reliance under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, arguing that indigenous capabilities had strengthened India’s military preparedness and operational flexibility.

“It showcased the growing jointness among our forces and underlined the strength that India’s quest for self-reliance in the defence sector has brought to our national security,” Modi said, linking the operation to the government’s broader push towards indigenous defence manufacturing, technological modernisation and integrated military planning.

Operation Sindoor was launched in the aftermath of the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed several civilians and reignited national concerns over cross-border terrorism and security vulnerabilities in Jammu and Kashmir. Though official details of the operation have remained classified, it was widely described at the time as one of India’s most coordinated and technologically sophisticated anti-terror military responses in recent years, involving close operational coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The operation also became emblematic of a more assertive Indian security posture, with the government repeatedly projecting it as evidence of India’s willingness to undertake calibrated yet forceful military action against terror infrastructure.

Reaffirming the government’s anti-terror doctrine, Modi said India’s determination remained unchanged a year later. “Today, a year later, we remain as steadfast as ever in our resolve to defeat terrorism and destroy its enabling ecosystem,” he wrote.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the Prime Minister’s position, calling Operation Sindoor an “epochal mission” that demonstrated the “infallible striking power” of India’s armed forces. In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Shah said the operation would be remembered as a moment when “the precise striking power of our armed forces, meticulous intelligence of our agencies, and resolute political will” came together to target terror networks operating across the border.

“This day will continue to bring the dreadful message to our enemies that no matter where they hide, they cannot escape. They are always within our sight and the fierce wrath of our firepower,” Shah wrote, while saluting the “unparalleled valour” of the armed forces.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh similarly described Operation Sindoor as a benchmark in modern military operations, praising the “unmatched precision, seamless jointness and deep synergy across services” displayed during the mission. Singh said the operation reflected both India’s preparedness and the growing resilience derived from the country’s march towards defence self-reliance.

“Operation Sindoor stands as a powerful symbol of national resolve and preparedness, showing that our armed forces are always ready to act decisively when it matters most,” Singh said, adding that the operation reinforced India’s steady advance towards “Atmanirbharta” in defence capability.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also commemorated the anniversary, saying the “brutal terrorist attack” in Pahalgam had received a “strong response” through Operation Sindoor. “Operation Sindoor proved that when a war is fought with modern technology, a firm policy, and innovation, the outcome is not merely victory — history is created,” the ministry said in a message circulated through its WhatsApp channel.

Even as the government projected the operation as a landmark success that embodied India’s evolving strategic doctrine and indigenous defence capabilities, the Congress sought to sharpen its critique of the government’s handling of the aftermath of the operation. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that while the nation saluted the bravery of the armed forces, “critical questions” surrounding the operation and subsequent diplomatic and strategic developments remained unanswered.

In a detailed statement issued on Thursday, Ramesh revisited several controversies linked to the period following the operation and argued that these issues warranted public scrutiny and institutional review. “As we celebrate the first anniversary of the launch of Operation Sindoor and salute the achievements of our armed forces, it would be useful to recall” the developments that followed, he said.

The Congress leader questioned the circumstances surrounding the ceasefire announcement that effectively halted the operation, noting that the first public declaration had been made on May 10, 2025 by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had attributed the breakthrough to intervention by US President Donald Trump. Ramesh alleged that Trump had repeatedly claimed credit for facilitating the ceasefire while Prime Minister Modi had never publicly contradicted the assertion.

He also referred to remarks made by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan in Singapore on May 30, 2025, in which the CDS reportedly acknowledged that India initially suffered losses due to tactical errors before adapting its strategy and carrying out precision strikes deep inside Pakistan. According to Ramesh, the CDS had highlighted the armed forces’ “resilience and adaptability” in overcoming early setbacks.

Further, the Congress leader cited comments made on June 10, 2025 by India’s Defence Attache in Indonesia during a seminar in Jakarta, where the official reportedly acknowledged that India had lost aircraft during the operation because of “constraints laid down by its political leadership.” He also referred to observations made by Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Rahul Singh regarding China’s alleged assistance to Pakistan during the conflict, including claims of logistical, technological and satellite support.

The Congress leader accused the Modi government of adopting what he described as a policy of “calibrated capitulation” towards China despite such concerns, alleging that restrictions on Chinese investment had been eased even as traditional patrolling rights in Ladakh were affected and imports from China rose significantly.

The Congress leader further argued that India’s diplomatic outreach following the operation had failed to isolate Pakistan internationally in the way India succeeded after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He alleged that Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had instead received “extraordinary warmth” from Trump and sections of the US establishment despite Pakistan’s alleged role in cross-border terrorism.

Drawing historical parallels, Ramesh recalled that the government led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had established the Kargil Review Committee shortly after the 1999 Kargil War. Chaired by strategic affairs expert K. Subrahmanyam, the committee had submitted its report, titled “From Surprise to Reckoning,” in January 2000, which was later tabled in Parliament.

Over the past year, Operation Sindoor has increasingly come to occupy a central place in the government’s national security narrative, symbolising an assertive military posture, enhanced integration among the armed services and the growing role of indigenous technology and defence production. For the ruling establishment, the anniversary became an occasion to celebrate national resolve and military capability; for the Opposition, it also served as a reminder of unresolved strategic and diplomatic questions that continue to shape the political debate around national security and accountability.