NEW DELHI — At an all-party meeting on Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed political leaders that Indian precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have killed at least 100 hardcore terrorists. The strikes were part of Operation Sindoor, launched in retaliation for the April 22 massacre of tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
This is the first official estimate provided on the impact of the ongoing operation, which has reportedly caused significant damage to terror infrastructure across the border.
“The operation is still ongoing, so it is difficult to provide an exact count. We are continuing to gather information,” Singh said during the briefing. He emphasized that India will respond forcefully to any further aggression from Pakistan.
Prepared for Prolonged Engagement
Singh assured party leaders that India has adequate resources to sustain its operations.
“We have enough stockpiles of ammunition. Our defence public sector units (PSUs) have ramped up production and are capable of increasing output further. The private sector is also playing a significant role,” he reportedly said.
The meeting, which was convened to brief all parties on the national security situation, was attended by key ministers and opposition leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President JP Nadda, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
Political Unity Amid Rising Tensions
Following the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that all political parties demonstrated solidarity with the government and armed forces in tackling the crisis.
“Leaders acknowledged the gravity of the situation and expressed their views responsibly. There was unanimous support for the armed forces and the government’s actions,” Rijiju said.
Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge echoed this sentiment:
“In this moment of national crisis, we stand with the government. Our first concern is the safety and security of our citizens and soldiers.”
Kharge, however, voiced disappointment over the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the meeting, noting that some leaders had expected him to personally brief them. Nonetheless, he accepted Defence Minister Singh’s request that no detailed questions be raised due to the sensitive nature of military operations.
Call for Parliamentary Session and Global Outreach
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and John Brittas (CPM) suggested convening a special session of Parliament to demonstrate national unity and resolve.
“Some things should not be debated at this time. Everyone expressed their support clearly,” Rahul said to reporters after the meeting.
JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha welcomed the targeted destruction of terror camps linked to major past attacks, dating back to 2001, describing it as a long-overdue move.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi commended the armed forces and the government for executing Operation Sindoor. He urged India to pursue a global campaign to designate The Resistance Front (TRF)—a known Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy—as a terrorist organization under UN and U.S. laws.
“We should ask the United Nations Security Council to blacklist the TRF, and request the United States to designate it as a foreign terrorist organization,” Owaisi said.
He also raised a concern over online abuse targeting Himanshi Narwal, the wife of Naval officer Vinay Narwal, one of the 26 Indian victims in the Pahalgam attack. Some opposition leaders used the opportunity to call for greater efforts to maintain communal harmony during this volatile time.
India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack has entered a decisive phase, with confirmed terrorist casualties exceeding 100 and multiple terror camps destroyed. Operation Sindoor remains active, and political parties have expressed rare national unity in the face of escalating threats. While the government is focused on maintaining operational secrecy, it has reassured the public and political leaders of India’s preparedness, both in military capability and diplomatic resolve.
