A major controversy erupted in Parliament after Kerala Congress MP K Francis George made a startling and unverified claim on the floor of the Lok Sabha on 28 July 2025, alleging that the Indian Air Force (IAF) suffered major losses that were never officially acknowledged.
Speaking during a discussion on national defense and transparency, Francis George said, “We lost three Rafales, one Sukhoi 30 MKI and one Mig 29. All were shot down in our own territory.”
The statement made without citing any credible source or evidence immediately drew sharp criticism from defense analysts, social media users, and government supporters who accused the MP of spreading disinformation and undermining the Indian military.
In his speech, George implied that the government had been misleading the public about wartime losses, “But truth has a way of surfacing. While the official narrative denied aircraft losses, satellite imagery, international intelligence leaks, and even our own defence attachés’ seminar notes revealed the truth.”
He further argued that such alleged obfuscation damages India’s credibility on the global stage, “When government denials are contradicted by foreign media and allied nations, we do not appear strong. We appear dishonest. This erodes credibility and gives space to hostile disinformation both abroad and within.”
George concluded by proposing a “Defence Transparency Charter”, which would mandate official briefings within 48 hours of battlefield incidents.
“We lost 3 Rafales, 1 Sukhoi 30 MKI, 1 Mig 29, all shot down in our own territory.”
– Kerala Cong MP K Francis George
This man is lying blatantly in the Parliament. pic.twitter.com/fhjHw0XZEi
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) July 28, 2025
Defence Min Rajnath Singh Statement
Rafale fighter jets, acquired from France, are the crown jewel of the Indian Air Force’s strike capability. Any suggestion of their loss, particularly due to enemy action on Indian soil would carry enormous strategic, operational, and political implications.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the Lok Sabha on 28 July 2025 that no critical Indian defence assets were damaged during Operation Sindoor, the recent counter-terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir. Calling it a “decisive and effective” operation, Singh said the armed forces acted with precision, targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites and neutralising over 100 terrorists, handlers, and trainers following the Pahalgam attack.
He asserted that India’s air defence, counter-drone systems, and electronic surveillance completely thwarted Pakistani attempts, preventing any hits on Indian targets. Singh also confirmed that an in-depth study preceded the operation, ensuring zero civilian harm. He revealed that when the Indian Air Force struck multiple airfields in Pakistan on May 10, Islamabad admitted defeat and requested a ceasefire, which India accepted conditionally. Singh warned that any further provocation would lead to immediate resumption of the operation.
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