New Delhi [India], October 4 (ANI): Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Saturday criticised the government over the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Operation Sindoor and anti-terrorism issues.

Bhagat questioned the government's credibility, suggesting it has diminished to the point where the Army Chief feels compelled to make statements on foreign policy and national security.

Bhagat told ANI, 'The Army Chief's statement is coming, but the Prime Minister and Defence Minister remain silent in Parliament regarding Operation Sindoor and terror attacks. The Army had to intervene as there was a question regarding the trust in the government. The Prime Minister is in a complex. If a person in uniform has to give a statement, PM Modi's credibility is tarnished, and his credibility is in decline.'

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi warned Pakistan that if it continues to sponsor terrorism, India will not show the same restraint in 'Sindoor 2.0' as it did during Operation 'Sindoor 1.0', and that Pakistan must change its ways if it 'wants to exist geographically'.

Slamming the Centre over Asia Cup 2025 matches between the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams, he questioned PM Modi's determination against terrorism.

He said, 'If PM Modi was determined (against terrorism), you would not have played the cricket match. How were blind calls coming to hotels? These matters are still a matter of concern. Trump made statements, and the PM is silent. Will the Army clarify this?'

While General Upendra Dwivedi mentioned a restraint in action during Operation Sindoor, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had said that the Indian Air Force destroyed at least 12 of Pakistan's combat aircraft, including four to five F-16s on the ground and five F-16s and JF-17s in the air, along with two spy planes.

Noting the statements as contradictions, the Congress MP said, 'There are contradictions in the statements of Army officers. And the silence raises suspicion. The country deserves to know everything. We are proud of our Army.'

Earlier on Friday, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dwivedi said, 'India is fully prepared this time. We will not show the restraint we exhibited during Operation Sindoor 1.0. This time, the action will be such that perhaps Pakistan will have to think whether it wants to exist geographically. If Pakistan wants to continue with its position in geography, it should stop its state-sponsored terrorism.'

The Army Chief issued the warning to Pakistan during his visit to forward areas, including the Bikaner Military Station, where he assessed troops' operational preparedness.

The Indian Armed Forces initiated Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, following which terrorist infrastructure was struck in pre-dawn strikes across the length and breadth of Pakistan and also in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), as per a prior statement from the Ministry of Defence. (ANI)