Congress demands review of India's defence preparedness by independent committee: Kharge after CDS Anil Chauhan's remark

Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress' President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, on Saturday accused the government of misleading the nation on the India-Pakistan conflict, demanding a comprehensive review of India's Defence Preparedness by an independent expert committee after remarks of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) in Singapore.

"Congress party demands a Comprehensive Review of our Defence Preparedness by an independent expert committee, on the lines of the Kargil Review Committee," said Kharge in a statement on X.

Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces General Anil Chauhan on Saturday categorically rejected Pakistan's claims that it had shot down six Indian warplanes during Operation Sindoor, calling the information "absolutely incorrect".


The CDS added that "what is important is that, not the jet being down, but why they were being downed". Kharge in his statement said "As per CDS's interview, "we made, remedy it, rectify it, and then implement it again after two days and flew all our jets again, targeting at long range". We salute their resolute courage and bravery. However, a comprehensive strategic review is the need of the hour."


"These can only be asked if a Special Session of the Parliament is immediately convened. The Modi Govt has misled the nation. The fog of war is now clearing. Our IAF pilots were risking their lives fighting the enemy. We have suffered some losses, but our pilots were safe.

What did CDS Anil Chauhan say?
Gen Chauhan, in the interview, asserted it is more important to find out why the aircraft were lost so that the Indian military could improve tactics and hit back again.

"I think what is important is not the jet being downed but why they were being downed," he said.

The CDS was asked whether India lost combat jets during the four-day military clashes with Pakistan earlier this month.

"The good part is that we were able to understand the tactical mistakes which we made; remedied, rectified and then implemented it again after two days. We flew all our jets again targeting at long range," he said.

"Absolutely incorrect," Gen Chauhan said when asked about Pakistan's claim of shooting down six Indian jets during Operation Sindoor.

Previously, Indian Air Force's Director General of Air Operations, Air Marshall AK Bharti, acknowledged that "losses are a part of combat" and said all IAF pilots returned home safely.

Air Marshall Bharti made the remarks at a media briefing on May 11 when asked about Indi'a aircraft losses during Operation Sindoor.

Gen Chauhan is in Singapore to participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Additionally, Kharge demanded answers on United States' President Donald Trump's remarks on his role in brokering ceasefire between India and Pakistan. "Instead of clarifying Mr. Trump's repeated assertions, and the affidavit filed by US Secretary of Commerce in the United States Court of International Trade, PM Modi is on an election blitz, taking PERSONAL CREDIT for the valour of our Armed Forces, hiding behind their bravery and dodging the contours of the agreed CEASEFIRE, which the Foreign Secretary announced on 10th, after Mr. Trump's tweet. Is India and Pakistan now again hyphenated? What are the conditions of the CEASEFIRE agreement?" said Kharge in his statement.