New Delhi: The PIB on Tuesday rubbished a letter attributed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, claiming the recall of Captain (Indian Navy) Shiv Kumar, Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, circulating on social media.
“The letter is part of a misinformation campaign by Pakistani propaganda accounts. Captain Shiv Kumar continues to serve as Defence Attaché in Jakarta. Postings of Indian Navy officers of the rank of Captain fall under the jurisdiction of the Integrated HQ of MoD (Navy). The Ministry of Home Affairs has no role in the appointment or recall of Defence Attachés,” the post on X clarified.
The Defence Attaché had caused a stir last month by stating that the Indian Air Force (IAF) lost “some aircraft” during Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7 due to political constraints that limited military targeting terror camps alone. “Only because of the constraint given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defences. After the loss, we changed our tactics and we went for the military installations… We first achieved suppression of enemy air defences and then… all our attacks could easily go through using BrahMos missiles,” he said during a presentation at a seminar in Jakarta on June 10.
Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh sought clarification from the government after his remarks came to light. “Why is the PM refusing to preside over an all-party meeting and take the Opposition into confidence? Why has the demand for a special session of Parliament been rejected?” he posted on X on June 29.
The Indian embassy later clarified that his statements were “quoted out of context” and he was simply reiterating that Operation Sindoor aimed to target terrorist infrastructure.