The Narendra Modi government has finally acknowledged that six soldiers lost their lives in Operation Sindoor in 2025, over a year after the cross-border military strikes in Pakistan. The operation was launched in retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack in April 2025, which killed 26 innocent people. The government’s reluctance to share details of Operation Sindoor has been evident from the beginning, with a continuous posture of self-congratulation.
However, the decision not to publicly acknowledge and honour the fallen soldiers at the time was not a sign of wise strategy. Casualties are a key consideration in military planning, and transparency about losses is crucial for national interest. By not being transparent, the government undermined its credibility and did a disservice to those who paid with their lives.
The then Director General of Military Operations, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers during a press briefing on May 11, 2025, without disclosing their names. The cremations were done with full military honours, and tributes were carried on the Indian Army’s official social media platforms. In August 2025, Air Chief Marshal A.P.
Singh visited the family of Sergeant Surendra Kumar, who was killed during the operation. The Ministry of Defence also announced gallantry awards for the fallen personnel. However, in the Lok Sabha on July 28, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that ‘no Indian soldiers were harmed’ during Operation Sindoor.
The government has since explained that the Minister’s remarks were made in the context of reports that Indian aircraft were shot down. The government has maintained that details relating to aircraft losses during the conflict remain operationally sensitive and refused to disclose them. The distinction between operational secrecy and public accountability is crucial.
War is a stark demonstration that it is the public that always pays for the government’s actions. A public accounting of the gains and losses is essential for wise decision-making.
