Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambiguous comment regarding the downing of five jets during “Operation Sindoor” has ignited a major political controversy in India. The statement prompted a sharp demand for clarification from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and fierce rebuttals from the ruling BJP, which accused him of having a “traitor’s mentality.”
Speaking during a private dinner on Friday, Trump vaguely referred to jets being downed amid India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April. “In fact, planes were being shot out of the air. Five, five, four or five, but I think five jets were shot down actually,” he said, without specifying whether the aircraft were Indian or Pakistani.
Operation Sindoor was India’s retaliatory strike on terrorist infrastructure across nine locations in Pakistan, including high-profile targets like the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba facilities in Muridke. In the wake of the strikes, Pakistan claimed to have shot down multiple Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets — among the most advanced in India’s fleet.
While India has acknowledged that there were losses, the government has not disclosed specific numbers. Emphasizing strategic analysis over statistics, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said, “What is important is not that jets were downed, but why they were downed.”
General Chauhan categorically denied Pakistan’s claim of downing six Indian jets. “The good part is that we understood the tactical mistake, corrected it, and resumed operations effectively two days later, hitting targets at long range,” he noted.
Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter on Saturday, sharing a video of Trump’s comment and posing a pointed question to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hindi: “Modi ji, what is the truth behind the five jets? The country has a right to know.”
The BJP’s counterattack was swift. Party leader Amit Malviya responded sharply, questioning Gandhi’s allegiance and accusing him of favoring Pakistan. “Trump did not say those planes were Indian. Why did Rahul Gandhi immediately assume they were? Is he speaking for Pakistan now?” Malviya posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Malviya added, “The truth is, Pakistan has not yet recovered from the blow of Operation Sindoor… but Rahul Gandhi is feeling the pain! Every time our forces strike back at the enemy, the Congress gets uneasy. Anti-India thinking isn’t just a habit for them anymore — it’s their identity. Rahul Gandhi must clarify: is he with India or is he Pakistan’s spokesperson?”
The controversy underscores how sensitive national security matters continue to fuel intense political rivalry in India. While the opposition seeks accountability and transparency, the ruling party often frames criticism as an affront to patriotism — especially when it comes to military operations and cross-border tensions.
