Govt mulls special Parliament session on June 16

The Centre is likely to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor on June 16. This comes amid growing Opposition clamour for a discussion on military and foreign policy strategy, as also the Pahalgam attack, in the House.

While no decision has been taken so far, sources said the government had recently sought details of all special sessions convened in the past.

The sources further said the decision on holding the session was likely to be taken once the seven multi-party delegations — currently visiting key partner countries to convey India’s message of zero-tolerance against terrorism — returned to India. The delegations are expected to be back this week. The Opposition has stepped up its demand after Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan acknowledged at an event in Singapore on Saturday the loss of air assets during the recent conflict with Pakistan.

The Congress has accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government of “misleading” the nation and demanded a special session. On May 28, the Trinamool Congress had asked the government to call a special session in June, ahead of the Monsoon session slated for July.

The Opposition had first raised the demand soon after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which had claimed 26 lives. The demand was also raised at an all-party meeting held to inform MPs about Operation Sindoor.

India had carried out precision strikes on nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7 in response to the terror attack. Following the action, Pakistan attempted to attack military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. The Indian side responded strongly by hitting Pakistan airbases.