On May 26, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed a Parliamentary Consultative Committee on External Affairs about Operation Sindoor, providing key details on the Indian government's handling of the cross-border counter-terror operation targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was carried out on the night of May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Key Points from Jaishankar’s Briefing:
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Timing of Pakistan's Notification: Pakistan was informed 30 minutes after the operation had started, with a clear message that only terrorist hideouts were being targeted. This was a strategic communication to avoid a broader military escalation.
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Ceasefire Agreement: A ceasefire between India and Pakistan was initiated after direct communication between their respective Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs). According to sources, Islamabad initiated this conversation.
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India's Clear Stance to the US: Addressing questions about foreign involvement, Jaishankar said India communicated a firm position to the US Secretary of State in simple terms:
“They fire, we fire. They stop, we stop.”When the US warned that Pakistan might launch a large-scale retaliation, India responded:“If Pakistan escalates, we are ready to respond in kind.” -
Assurance of Precision: Jaishankar assured MPs, including KC Venugopal, Manish Tewari, Mukul Wasnik, Priyanka Chaturvedi, among others, that India acted with surgical precision and avoided civilian or non-military targets.
Political Row over Timing of Notification:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the government of informing Pakistan before the operation began, calling it a “crime” and demanding answers on who authorized the move. He also questioned the impact on the Indian Air Force.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rebutted the claim, stating that Jaishankar clearly said the notification was made after the operation began, not before. The MEA labeled Rahul Gandhi’s accusation as a “complete misrepresentation of facts.”
Conflict Timeline:
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May 7 (Night): India conducts Operation Sindoor, targeting 9 terror camps in PoK and Pakistan.
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May 8–10: Pakistan attempts retaliatory strikes on Indian military bases.
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India's Response: Indian forces conduct strong counter-offensives, striking several Pakistani military installations.
Operation Sindoor reflects a shift in India's post-Pulwama, post-Balakot doctrine—launching cross-border, targeted strikes while maintaining diplomatic channels and controlling escalation.
