Letters to The Editor — June 2, 2025

CDS statement, fog clears

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan’s statement, that an unspecified number of India’s fighter jets were downed during the hostilities with Pakistan in May, is sure to give ammunition to the Opposition parties and their earlier claims (Page 1, June 1). The Government could have avoided this embarrassing situation had it functioned transparently. When losses are a part of any combat scenario, one wonders why the government was so reluctant to brief the nation on the subject.

Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,

Hyderabad

The CDS has put an end to the attempts at obfuscation by the Government about losses during Operation Sindoor. When the demand was raised by some Opposition parties and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the powers that be tried to confuse the country and, worse, labelled the Opposition as anti-national. The Centre has no fig leaf now to block the demand by the Opposition to hold a special session of Parliament.

Ayyasseri Raveendranath,

Aranmula, Kerala

The CDS’s silence on the extent of India’s losses raises more questions than answers. It is clear that India lost something significant on the first day of its confrontation with Pakistan. The people have the right to know the extent of these “losses in the air”.

S. Ramakrishnasayee,

Chennai

Valmik Thapar

The passing of naturalist Valmik Thapar is a loss for wildlife management too. His bond with Ranthambore and his deep study and works are invaluable contributions to the conservation of India’s pride, the tiger.

Monita Sutherson,

Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu