New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Congress MP Ujjwal Raman Singh expressed his backing for the statements made by senior party member and former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Prithviraj Chavan, regarding Operation Sindoor. He emphasized that the government's lack of response to the situation raises significant concerns.

According to Singh, the absence of a definitive answer from the Center implies that "something is amiss"; yet, the government seems indifferent to the gravity of the matter.

Singh's statements followed Chavan's assertion that India faced a setback on the inaugural day of Operation Sindoor, with Indian aircraft reportedly being shot down during the four-day operation.

In an interview with IANS, Singh noted that this issue had been a topic of discussion, but neither the Prime Minister nor senior BJP officials have provided any clarifications.

"We have engaged in discussions regarding this matter, yet Prime Minister Narendra Modi had no comments to offer. It is evident that neither the Prime Minister nor other BJP leaders have addressed the inquiries posed by the Opposition Leader and other members of the opposition concerning Operation Sindoor. When the government sidesteps such vital inquiries, it suggests an intention to conceal something," Singh remarked.

He further criticized the government's reluctance to bring this topic up in Parliament as deeply troubling.

“When vital information is kept from Parliament, it undeniably breeds suspicion. I would argue that the government appears untroubled and indifferent. Instead of tackling critical national security issues, it seems preoccupied with renaming initiatives, dissolving welfare programs, attacking the underprivileged, and depriving workers of their earnings,” he added.

During a press conference in Pune, Chavan made provocative statements concerning Operation Sindoor, claiming that the Indian Air Force was effectively immobilized due to the risk of being targeted by Pakistan. He indicated that the initial phase of the operation represented a notable setback.

Chavan stated, "On the first day (of Operation Sindoor), we were entirely defeated. In the half-hour aerial engagement that took place on the 7th, we were decisively defeated, regardless of public opinion. Indian aircraft were shot down. The Air Force was completely grounded, and no aircraft were deployed. If any aircraft had taken off from Gwalior, Bathinda, or Sirsa, the likelihood of being shot down by Pakistan was exceptionally high, which is why the Air Force remained completely grounded."

Chavan also challenged the conventional military readiness framework, claiming that contemporary warfare is increasingly influenced by aerial and missile capabilities.

"Throughout Operation Sindoor, there was not even a one-kilometer movement of ground forces. What transpired over two or three days was strictly an aerial and missile-based conflict. In the future, wars will continue to be conducted in a similar way. In such circumstances, do we truly require an army of 1.2 million soldiers, or should we contemplate reassigning them for alternative purposes?" he questioned.

Reports indicating that Indian fighter jets were downed during Operation Sindoor gained traction following a statement attributed to a Defence Attache. However, the Indian government has dismissed these claims, clarifying that comments made during a seminar in Indonesia were misconstrued and misrepresented the intent and substance of the presentation.

Operation Sindoor commenced on May 7 in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. Pakistan responded, leading to a conflict from May 7 to May 10. During the operation, India asserted that it eliminated over 100 terrorists in just 23 minutes utilizing Rafale jets, SCALP missiles, and HAMMER bombs.