Amid rising media chatter over reported IAF setbacks in Operation Sindoor, the Indian Embassy in Indonesia has stepped in to clear the air, stating that the Navy officer’s remarks were twisted out of context and widely misinterpreted.
The controversy flared after Defense Attaché Captain Shiv Kumar, during a seminar presentation, reportedly made remarks about the IAF’s role in the anti-terror offensive. These comments quickly made headlines, sparking speculation and political noise.
“The remarks have been quoted out of context. The reports floating in the media misrepresent the speaker’s actual message and intent.”
The embassy clarified that the officer’s main point was to highlight the disciplined and professional nature of India’s military, which functions entirely under civilian command—a contrast to some neighboring countries.
It also reaffirmed that Operation Sindoor, launched in May in response to the brutal Pahalgam terror attack, was a calibrated and non-escalatory strike targeting terror infrastructure, not a military confrontation aimed at provocation.
“The intent was never to sensationalize losses but to highlight India’s responsible and strategic approach,” said an official.
As tensions simmer across the region, the embassy’s swift response aims to shut down any attempts at twisting operational details or sowing confusion about India’s military stance.
Operation Sindoor Sparks Political Firestorm: Defence Attaché’s Remarks Ignite Controversy
On June 10 in Indonesia, Defense Attaché Captain Shiv Kumar made a striking revelation, disclosing that the Indian Air Force suffered aircraft losses during the first wave of Operation Sindoor against terror camps in PoK and Pakistan.
Captain Kumar explained that the initial limitations set by political leadership—instructing forces not to strike Pakistan’s military infrastructure or air defenses—may have contributed to the IAF’s early setbacks.
“Only because of the constraint given by the political leadership…” he noted, highlighting the tight leash under which the forces operated initially.
However, Kumar also emphasized how tactics shifted after the losses.
“We then targeted military installations, first suppressing enemy air defenses, and launched precision attacks using BrahMos missiles,” he said, showcasing India’s decisive retaliation strategy in the later phases.
But the remarks, once leaked, triggered a political storm back home.
The Congress party pounced on the statement, calling it a “direct indictment” of the BJP-led government’s strategy.
Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera, questioned why the PM refused to convene an all-party meet and alleged the government was “terrified” of what might be revealed if Parliament were to probe deeper.
As the row intensifies, the Indian Embassy in Indonesia has already clarified that the Navy officer’s comments were taken out of context—but the debate back home shows no signs of cooling down.
