By The Sampadak Express
Karnataka Congress MLA Kothur G. Manjunath has sparked controversy with his strong criticism of Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military offensive against Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack.
Speaking to the media, Manjunath questioned the effectiveness and transparency of the operation, dismissing it as a mere spectacle. “What exactly happened in Operation Sindoor? Four planes flew around just for show. Will that bring back the 26 people killed in Pahalgam? How does this solve anything for the widows of those killed?” he said.
He went on to question the government’s claims, asking, “Where are the terrorists who attacked Pahalgam? Can the government confirm that 100 terrorists were killed? Which camps in Pakistan were actually destroyed? Why is there no clear official confirmation?”
The MLA emphasized the need for accountability and clear communication from the central government. “All the TV channels have different stories. Who do we trust? Where is the official version?” he added.
In contrast, India’s armed forces have stated that nine terror camps were successfully destroyed in the cross-border strike, with approximately 100 terrorists killed, including key figures like Yusuf Azhar, Abdul Malik Rauf, and Mudassir Ahmed. The military has also released footage of the operation to support their claims.
Manjunath, however, remained unconvinced. “This was a failure of intelligence. How did the terrorists manage to infiltrate and carry out such an attack in Pahalgam? Where was the security on the border?” he asked, asserting that the root cause of terrorism must be eradicated.
He reiterated his opposition to war, particularly when it risks civilian lives. “We are against any form of war on civilians be it in Karnataka, Pakistan, China, or Bangladesh. Watching their husbands get killed in front of their eyes how does this operation compensate those women?” he said.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the brutal Pahalgam attack carried out by terrorists from The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba affiliate, which left 25 Indian and one Nepali national dead.
While the central government maintains that only terrorist infrastructure was targeted and no civilians were harmed, the Congress MLA’s remarks have ignited a fresh debate over transparency, effectiveness, and the broader strategy in counter-terrorism operations.
