The Indian government has now officially confirmed that Operation Sindoor is ongoing, with around 100 terrorists killed in Wednesday’s cross-border strikes—a major escalation in the current India-Pakistan conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Here are the key developments from the government’s briefings and all-party meeting:
Official Confirmation of Terrorist Casualties
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told party leaders that “about 100 terrorists were killed” in the Rafale-led precision strikes on nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and PoK.
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Singh clarified the numbers were preliminary: “The counting is still on. There is no concrete figure yet.”
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This is the first official death toll confirmation since the strikes.
Operation Sindoor is Not Over
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Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated clearly: “The Defence Minister informed leaders that this was an ongoing operation,” suggesting more strikes could follow or are underway.
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Because of its active nature, Singh did not offer a detailed military briefing, citing operational security.
Pakistan’s Retaliation and Indian Response
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On Thursday, Pakistan attempted to strike 15 military targets across India using drones and missiles.
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India’s S-400 air defence systems successfully intercepted and neutralised the threats.
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In retaliation, India targeted and destroyed Pakistani air defence radars, including a major installation near Lahore.
Cross-Border Shelling and Civilian Casualties
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The Pakistani army opened artillery fire along the Line of Control in Poonch-Rajouri, killing 15 civilians.
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This marks a significant escalation on the LoC front, likely aiming to provoke further conflict or distract from Pakistan’s failed aerial strike.
Unified Political Support – With One Notable Question
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Leaders from all major parties, including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Samajwadi Party, expressed unanimous support for the government and praised the armed forces.
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Rahul Gandhi reiterated full backing: “We are here together and, from the beginning, we have been with the government.”
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Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, however, questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s absence, a concern echoed by other opposition leaders.
PM Modi and Jaishankar's Messages
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While PM Modi did not attend the meeting, he sent a clear message: “Every Indian citizen needs to stand united.”
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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during a meeting with Iran’s foreign minister, warned: “If there are military attacks on us, they will be met with a very, very firm response.” He stressed India’s intent is not to escalate, but not to back down either.
This situation is fluid and volatile, with the government balancing military assertiveness and strategic restraint. The rare all-party consensus also indicates the seriousness of the threat and a temporary suspension of domestic political differences.
