CHANDIGARH, May 19 – Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to appropriate the accomplishments of India’s armed forces, while sharply criticizing the reported advance warning to Pakistan before recent military strikes.
During an informal media interaction, Warring questioned the rationale behind informing Pakistan ahead of the strikes on terrorist camps, a decision he said allowed wanted terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to evade the attack.
“By External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s own admission, Pakistan was forewarned about the strikes. As a result, Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar managed to escape, even though our forces hit their headquarters,” Warring told reporters. “Isn’t this a betrayal of the nation?”
The Ludhiana MP praised the precision and bravery of the Indian armed forces, but said their efforts were undermined by the government’s actions. “Our soldiers struck with absolute accuracy, and we salute their courage. But had the terrorists not been tipped off, they would have been eliminated, and it would have dealt a crippling blow to terror,” he said.
Warring alleged that the BJP was attempting to politically exploit a military success that rightfully belongs to the armed forces. “It is shameful that the BJP is trying to steal credit for the bravery of our defence forces,” he said. “Rather than celebrating a political win, they should be ashamed for enabling the terrorists’ escape by alerting Pakistan in advance.”
The Congress leader’s remarks come amid intensifying opposition criticism over the handling and political messaging around Operation Sindoor, India’s military action targeting terror infrastructure across the border.
