Op Sindoor Is On; 100 Terrorists Killed, All Parties told

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that Operation Sindoor was still on, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told an all-party meeting that 100 terrorists were killed in the strikes on Pakistani terror camps on Wednesday, sources said. This is the first time that the government has confirmed the death toll in the cross-border strikes.

Speaking to reporters after the all-party meeting, Rijiju said, "The Defence Minister informed leaders that this was an ongoing operation, hence can't give a technical briefing." He said leaders cutting across party lines unanimously congratulated the armed forces on the success of Operation Sindoor and assured their full support to the government.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Rajnath Singh shared information about yesterday's strikes, while stressing that the government cannot share all details due to the situation's sensitivity. Singh said that about 100 terrorists were killed in yesterday's airstrikes. He, however, stressed that the number was not confirmed and information was still being gathered. He added that Operation Sindoor is an ongoing operation, and while India does not want to escalate the situation at this point, it will hit back if Pakistan strikes.

Sources said while Rajnath spoke for 5 minutes, other leaders were given 4 to 5 minutes each to share their views. While the opposition were fulsome in their praise of the armed forces and backed the government, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The issue of the Prime Minister's absence was also raised by the Aam Aadmi Party and the Samajwadi Party.

Sources said Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi also extended full support to the government. "We are here together and, from the beginning, we have been with the government," Gandhi said at the meeting. Even though PM Modi didn't attend the meeting, he sent a message to the opposition: Every Indian citizen needs to stand united.