In a sharp political counterattack, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected the Congress Party’s claim that surgical strikes were carried out during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) era. The BJP has branded these statements as false, misleading, and irresponsible, asserting that no such strikes were executed under UPA rule, citing an RTI reply from 2018 as proof.

This political exchange intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and others claimed that multiple surgical strikes had been conducted between 2008 and 2014 during the tenure of the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government. The BJP, however, responded by saying that such claims are not only factually incorrect but also undermine the sanctity of national security operations.

The BJP’s Stand: ‘No Surgical Strikes Under UPA’

The BJP cited an RTI reply dated April 2018, in which the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) categorically stated that no data existed for surgical strikes carried out before September 29, 2016 — the date of the first publicly acknowledged surgical strike on Pakistani terror launch pads following the Uri terror attack.

"Congress is corrupt, even when it comes to numbers related to national security. However, there were no surgical strikes under UPA as confirmed by the DGMO in response to an RTI query dated April 2018. Darpok Congress must STOP LYING," said the BJP in a strongly-worded post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Genesis of the Controversy: Shashi Tharoor's Remarks

The renewed debate was sparked by Shashi Tharoor, Congress MP, who during an interaction in Panama, praised the 2016 surgical strikes and the 2019 Balakot airstrike under the Modi government as important counter-terrorism actions. Tharoor appeared to acknowledge 2016 as the first instance of crossing the Line of Control (LoC) for such operations.

Later, Tharoor clarified his statement on X, saying he referred to reprisals after terror attacks, and not military responses from earlier wars or covert operations. Despite this, the BJP used his comments to accuse Congress of inconsistency and deception in its narrative around surgical strikes.

Congress’s Counterclaims and BJP’s Rebuttal

Congress has on several occasions claimed that surgical strikes occurred under the UPA government, including during the tenure of former Defence Minister A.K. Antony, though these were allegedly kept classified and not publicised.

Congress’s official social media handle recently claimed that six surgical strikes were conducted between 2008 and 2014. Rahul Gandhi himself once claimed three surgical strikes under UPA, as reported by a 2018 Hindustan Times article.

The BJP has brushed off these statements as fabricated and self-contradictory, asserting that no military documentation or public acknowledgment supports such assertions. The Army’s Northern Command chief in 2019, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, reiterated that the first documented and publicly acknowledged surgical strike occurred in 2016.

In fact, the 2018 RTI reply noted, “Army does not have any data pertaining to surgical strikes if carried out before September 29, 2016,” clearly refuting any Congress-era operations of the same nature.

Political Implications Ahead of 2025 Elections

This renewed war of words is unfolding against the backdrop of the 2025 general elections, where national security remains a core electoral theme for the BJP. With the recent Operation Sindoor and the Prime Minister’s tough talk on terrorism gaining political momentum, the BJP is looking to further consolidate its image of a decisive and strong leadership on matters of defence and external aggression.

On the other hand, Congress appears to be attempting a reclamation of its national security credentials, by asserting that it too had responded strongly to cross-border terrorism — even if those actions were not broadcasted.

However, the BJP has taken a firm stance that such assertions, unsupported by documentation or military acknowledgment, amount to misinformation, and it has demanded an apology and retraction.

The Broader Context: Balakot, Uri, and the Modi Doctrine

The BJP continues to highlight the Uri surgical strike (2016) and the Balakot airstrike (2019) as pivotal moments that marked a shift in India’s post-terror attack military posture. These events are presented as a clear departure from the 'strategic restraint' approach that had characterised earlier governments.

Operation Sindoor, the most recent counter-terror operation following the Pahalgam attack, has also added to the BJP’s narrative of “zero tolerance to terrorism.” This has helped strengthen its position with voters who value national security and strong military retaliation.

Final Word: RTI vs Rhetoric

At the heart of the controversy lies a critical question: Can claims about confidential or unpublicised military operations be taken at face value without corresponding verification from military records? According to the BJP and official RTI data, the answer is a resounding no.

With this development, the political discourse around military operations and their use in election narratives has once again been brought to the forefront — raising questions not just about historical facts, but also about the politicisation of national security.

As India moves closer to the 2025 elections, such flashpoints are likely to intensify, with BJP seeking to retain its image of security-centric leadership and Congress trying to push back with assertions of past actions — all amidst increasing scrutiny and calls for truth, transparency, and accountability.

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