ISLAMABAD: India has formally released the names of six soldiers killed during Operation Sindoor, raising fresh questions over the Modi government’s earlier refusal to acknowledge military losses after a serious battlefield setback.
India Admits Soldier Deaths in Operation Sindoor pic.twitter.com/xN1sIqaFO1
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According to Indian publication The Wire, the Indian government has for the first time officially named six personnel who lost their lives during the operation. The disclosure has triggered criticism from opposition parties, journalists and citizens in India, who are questioning why the losses were not clearly admitted earlier.
Questions over earlier denials
India’s Director General of Military Operations had confirmed during a press briefing on May 11, 2025, that five soldiers had been killed. However, in July 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the Indian parliament that no losses had been suffered.
Following criticism, India’s Press Information Bureau issued a clarification, saying the defence minister’s statement had been quoted out of context. Pakistani analysts say the clarification reflects the pressure on New Delhi to explain contradictions in its official position.
Opposition seeks answers
India’s opposition Congress party has also questioned why the defence minister concealed military losses from the nation.
The latest list has further raised questions as the names of Border Security Force personnel Deepak and Ram Babu Singh, who received military honours last year, were not included in the recent disclosure.
Analysts point to wider losses
Pakistani security analysts said the Modi government appeared to have kept the losses hidden for months to protect its political image after Operation Sindoor.
They said the key question now is whether only six Indian soldiers were killed or whether the actual number was higher.
Analysts added that repeated contradictions have damaged the credibility of India’s official narrative and may lead to further admissions in the future.
