‘Op Sindoor’ on, Will Hit Back if Pak Attacks: Govt

New Delhi: A day after India launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ hitting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after a terrorist attack on tourists on April 22 claimed 27 lives, the government held an all-party meeting here to brief the Opposition on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi skipped the meeting, which was briefed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah.

In the first official confirmation of a figure, the Defence Minister reportedly  told the Opposition leaders that “at least 100 terrorists had been killed,” under ‘Operation Sindoor’ a PTI report said, citing sources.  Singh reportedly also informed the Opposition that it was an “ongoing operation” and that India “will hit back if Pakistan attacks” in the wake of India's targeted strike.

According to media reports, the Opposition leaders pledged their full support to the armed forces and government and gave various suggestions and also expression concerns over national security and safety of all Indians, especially in the border areas.

It may be recalled that after Indian forces struck at nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK late Tuesday night, Pakistan resorted to shelling Jammu & Kashmir’s border villages in Poonch district, killing 15 civilians and injuring 43 persons, including children. Many of the injured are said to be in a critical condition, with appeals for blood donations being made on social media.

Emerging from the meeting Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi told reporters that they pledged the government and the armed forces their “full support”. He said they were told that certain “confidential information” could not be shared outside. Kharge also said that Rahul Gandhi demanded a ‘special Parliament session’ to give out a “good message”.

When asked about the Prime Minister’s absence from the all-party meeting, Kharge said: “We wanted the PM to participate and briefly talk about the action against terrorism. We salute the jawans who have shown bravery. We wanted him to come and brief us but he did not. He had not even attended the last meeting (April 24)…”

In the backdrop of escalating tension with Pakistan, Prime Minister Modi held a high-level meeting on Thursday with secretaries of various ministries, said PTI.

The issues discussed during the meeting included strengthening of civil defence mechanisms, efforts to counter misinformation and fake news, and ensuring the security of critical infrastructure, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said.

Meanwhile, there were reports of explosion in some villages in Amritsar in Punjab late Wednesday night. According to a report in The Hindustan Times, a missile debris-like object was found in the fields of Jethuwal and Makhan Windi villages in Kathunangal area on the Amritsar-Batala road.

Panic-stricken residents told HT that there were loud explosions between 1 a.m and 2 a.m and when they checked there were “illuminated objects” in the sky.

“There was panic all around. After the explosion, a part of the missile fell in a field at Jethuwal, while debris was found scattered over houses also. Villagers informed the police who arrived and took the debris away,” Parkash Singh, a resident of the village, told HT.

The police and the Army, which reached the spot, have so far not commented on this incident.