Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the government has not given any estimate on the number of terrorists killed in Balakot airstrike but there were terrorists present for training at the time of the bombing by Indian Air Force in February. 

Speaking in Zee News' India ka DNA conclave, Sitharaman said, "There is no estimate on the number of terrorists killed in Balakot. Balakot centre had terrorists for training. Several fidayeen trainers were called to train terrorist in the camp. These details are there in Pakistani media and social media."

She said even Foreign Secretary's statement did not give any estimate on casualties. 

Giving details on government's strategy on Balakot strike, she said, "Balakot airstrikes are historic. There was a terror attack and 40 soldiers were martyred. A CCS meeting took place and several other agencies were involved in carrying out the airstrikes. Different people were monitoring the airstrike. At 4 am, I received the message that our pilots were back safe. It was then that I felt relieved."

Praising Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman's valour, Sitharaman said he was rooted and was not thinking about any glory after the aerial battle. He did his job and he is the perfect soldier and gave credit to his training, she said. 

Giving details of her meeting with Wing Commander Varthaman, she said, "Before going into the meeting, I was told by IAF officers that if someone needs a tonic of motivation, that person should meet Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He was full of energy."

When asked to comment on Opposition's demand seeking proof of terrorists' casualties in Balakot, the Defence Minister said, "I am pained by the voices which are demanding proof of Balakot airstrikes. In 1971, there was Jan Sangh in the opposition and Atal Bihari Vajpayee stood with the government and praised the military action. Now the stand of opposition is there for all to see.

"Even during the 2016 surgical strikes, the opposition asked for proof. The clamour died when the government released those proof. Should the government release such proofs? Government and political parties should work for the country," she said. 

Calling allegations of wrongdoings in Rafale deal a "manufactured controversy", Sitharaman said, "If the forces have best weapons, then their morale is high. So there is this talk about Rafale. Rafale is a manufactured controversy. Congress has never done a defence deal without dalals. Under Arun Jaitley, Manohar Parikkar and my tenure, there was no controversy. Under Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) decisions are taken only on merit."

She said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was not afraid of investigations in the Rafale deal but the Opposition which has promised probe into the matter will not return to power. 

On the controversy around Prime Minister Modi's announcement on Anti-Satellite missile test, she said, "ASAT missile test could have been announced by the scientists but it was a massive achievement. If someone else other than the prime minister announces it, then it will not have the same value. It is a defensive measure and is not meant to wage a war. Such an announcement has to come from the prime minister."