Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - The first anniversary of Operation Sindoor has turned into a moment of both tribute and political confrontation, as opposition parties hailed the armed forces’ bravery while demanding answers from the Centre over key decisions taken during the high-stakes military operation.

Operation Sindoor was launched in May 2025 following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-based terrorists. In response, Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting bases linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Marking the anniversary, leaders from the opposition saluted the bravery of the armed forces but also demanded accountability from the Centre. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for an independent inquiry into the operation, similar to the Kargil Review Committee. 

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the ceasefire on May 10, 2025, noting that the first announcement came from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who credited intervention by former US President Donald Trump. Ramesh further claimed that Trump had repeated this assertion multiple times without being publicly contradicted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the armed forces, praising their courage and reaffirming the nation’s resolve against terrorism. Rahul Gandhi echoed similar sentiments, honouring the sacrifices made during the operation.
 

The Indian government, however, has consistently maintained that the ceasefire agreement was reached bilaterally between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan, firmly rejecting claims of third-party mediation.
So far, the Centre has not responded to the opposition’s demand for an independent review. Meanwhile, the Indian Army marked the moment of the strikes by sharing a video at exactly 1:05 AM — the precise time the operation began — with a strong message: “India forgets nothing. India forgives nothing.”

While the anniversary of Operation Sindoor has united leaders in paying tribute to the armed forces, it has also reignited political debate over transparency and decision-making during the operation. As calls for an independent review grow louder, the government’s response in the coming days could shape the broader narrative around one of India’s most significant recent military actions.