Ajit Doval Challenges Foreign Media on ‘Op Sindoor’: ‘Show Me One Photo’

Ajit Doval Challenges Foreign Media Over Operation Sindoor Coverage: ‘Show Me One Photo.’

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday took a strong stance against foreign media outlets for what he called biased reporting on Operation Sindoor, questioning claims that Pakistani strikes had damaged Indian infrastructure. Speaking at the 62nd convocation ceremony of IIT Madras, Doval threw down a direct challenge: “Show me one photograph or image that proves any damage to Indian structures—even a broken glass pane.”

Doval accused international media of echoing Pakistani narratives while failing to present factual evidence. “They said Pakistan did this and that. But what’s the proof? All available satellite imagery shows only the damage India inflicted on Pakistani air bases—Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Chaklala, among others,” he said.

What Was Operation Sindoor?
Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the May 7 terror attack in Pahalgam, with India vowing a “befitting response” to Pakistan’s alleged support for cross-border terrorism. According to Defence Ministry sources, the Indian Air Force—backed by other branches—executed precision strikes across Pakistan on the night of May 9–10, targeting air bases and crippling Chinese-backed air defence systems.

The operation involved the firing of around 15 BrahMos missiles aimed at disabling Pakistan’s air combat capabilities. Indian Armed Forces also struck nine terror infrastructure sites in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Doval confirmed the 23-minute-long air operation was strategically precise, avoiding border regions and hitting carefully selected terror-related targets deep within Pakistan. “We knew exactly who was where. We hit nowhere else except those nine locations,” he said.

Indigenous Defence Systems at the Core
Doval highlighted the role of India’s homegrown defence systems in the operation, pointing to assets such as the BrahMos missiles, integrated air command and control systems, and advanced radars. He noted the effectiveness of the Akash surface-to-air missile system in neutralising attempted Pakistani drone strikes on Indian targets.