Captain Shiv Kumar’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ Statement Sparks Political Row and Diplomatic Clarification
According to Captain Kumar, the losses were a result of political constraints, as the Indian armed forces were initially instructed..........
A statement by Captain Shiv Kumar, Indian Defence Attaché to Indonesia, regarding India’s Operation Sindoor has triggered political ripples and prompted an official clarification from the Indian Embassy in Jakarta.
While speaking at a seminar at Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma in Jakarta earlier this month, Captain Kumar acknowledged that the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost “some aircraft” during the initial stages of Operation Sindoor, India’s air campaign targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7.
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According to Captain Kumar, the losses were a result of political constraints, as the Indian armed forces were initially instructed not to engage Pakistani military installations or air defence systems, in a deliberate attempt to avoid escalation.
“We were told not to hit their military directly — it was purely a political signal. That cost us. After the first losses, we changed our approach,” Captain Kumar stated, while outlining the strategic shift that followed. Indian forces subsequently began neutralizing enemy air defences before striking, utilizing precision-guided weapons such as the BrahMos missile system.
Political Reactions: Congress Seeks Answers
The revelation quickly ignited a political firestorm in India. Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera demanded a response from the central government, accusing it of hiding critical information from the public. They alleged that the government misled the nation about the true cost and conduct of Operation Sindoor, and called for full disclosure.
“Did the government suppress details about aircraft losses? If so, why? The people of India deserve the truth,” said Ramesh at a press conference in Delhi.
Official Clarification: “Comments Taken Out of Context”
Amid growing political pressure, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta issued a statement clarifying Captain Kumar’s remarks. The embassy stated that his comments had been “misrepresented and quoted out of context”, emphasizing that the primary point being made was India’s civil-military relationship, where armed forces operate under civilian leadership.
“India’s actions during Operation Sindoor were precise, limited to terrorist infrastructure, and designed to avoid escalation,” the statement said, reiterating the Indian military’s professionalism and commitment to strategic restraint.
Background: Operation Sindoor’s Objectives
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was India’s most significant cross-border military action since the Balakot strikes of 2019. Targeting terror camps in PoK and Pakistan’s western regions, the operation was hailed as a show of India’s evolving joint-force capability.
Earlier, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan acknowledged that some aircraft were lost due to tactical missteps on Day One of the operation. However, he denied Pakistan’s claims of having downed high-end platforms like Rafales, calling such assertions “absolutely incorrect.”
