Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday strongly criticized Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi for raising questions over the Indian Air Force’s losses during Operation Sindoor, accusing him of casting doubt on the dedication and sacrifices of India’s armed forces.

Shinde, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, said Gandhi’s comments were not just politically irresponsible but also damaging to national morale at a sensitive time. “Asking such questions is like showing distrust towards our country’s soldiers because the security of the nation is a matter of national safety and defense. Therefore, asking such questions is equivalent to doubting our soldiers, which is condemnable,” Shinde said.

His remarks came in response to Rahul Gandhi’s recent post on X, where the Congress leader questioned whether Pakistan had foreknowledge of India's military operation and if that compromised the mission's success. Gandhi had accused External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar of remaining silent on the number of Indian aircraft reportedly lost and called it “a crime” rather than a lapse.

Shinde countered that national security should never become a political football. “In times like these, our soldiers stand as the first line of defense. They risk their lives every day to protect us. Casting aspersions on their efforts, even indirectly, emboldens our enemies and demoralizes our forces. This is not politics—it is recklessness,” he added.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7 in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, involved deep strikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. While official figures on any operational loss remain undisclosed, the government has maintained that the mission was a strategic success, neutralizing over 100 terrorists affiliated with groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.