Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Visits Bhuj Air Base, Commends Operation Sindoor, Criticises IMF for Aid to Pakistan

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Bhuj Air Force Station on Friday to review the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force, just a day after his strategic assessment in Jammu and Kashmir. His visit comes amid heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border, following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 tourists on April 22.

India has held Pakistan-based terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, responsible for the attack. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, targeting at least nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). According to official sources, the strikes led to the elimination of over 100 terrorists.

The cross-border offensive was followed by a 72-hour escalation, with Pakistan retaliating through counterattacks across the Line of Control (LoC). India responded with targeted strikes on Pakistani military installations, signalling a robust defence posture. Amid these developments, an information war also unfolded. Pakistan claimed it had destroyed key Indian military assets, including the Adhampur Air Base. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the same base on Wednesday served as a symbolic rebuttal to these claims, underlining India's strategic confidence.

During his Bhuj visit, Rajnath Singh interacted with Air Force personnel and evaluated the security landscape post-ceasefire. His presence at this forward airbase is being viewed as a deliberate move to reinforce India’s commitment to territorial integrity and to send a clear message to adversaries.

Speaking to the media and military officials, Singh praised the armed forces for the swift and precise execution of Operation Sindoor. “It would not be wrong to say that the time most people take to have breakfast was enough for our forces to complete the operation,” Singh remarked.

“You entered enemy territory, launched missile strikes, and the echoes weren’t limited to our borders — the whole world heard them. Those sounds carried the strength, courage, and heroism of our soldiers,” he added.
In a sharp critique of Pakistan’s financial dealings, Singh also questioned the recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) aid granted to the country.

“I believe Pakistan will use a significant portion of the IMF funds to strengthen its terror infrastructure,” he said, urging the IMF to reconsider financial assistance to a nation that continues to support terrorist activities.

The Defence Minister's visit to Bhuj followed his review of the security situation along the LoC and the International Border during his stop in Srinagar. Despite a ceasefire declared last Saturday, multiple violations have since been reported in Jammu, Kashmir, and Punjab. India has maintained that the ceasefire should not be interpreted as a sign of withdrawal or compromise. The government asserts that the fight against terrorism is ongoing, and that Indian forces remain alert and fully prepared to defend the nation.​