Prime Minister Narendra Modi is drawing sharp criticism and ridicule from opposition leaders for remarks he made on clouds and radar during a recent TV interview.

Modi was speaking about the airstrike India conducted in Pakistan in February; he said the weather had been bad, and described how he had felt the clouds could help Indian jets escape radar detection. He acknowledged that he was not an expert.

Eventually, Modi said, the question of whether or not to change the date of the operation was settled -- he decided to go ahead with it.

The Opposition wasted little time in attacking. "On PM Modi's radar and clouds comment, it seems no one clarified for the PM how radars work," said Salman Soz, a Congressman. "If that is the case, then it is a very serious national security issue. No laughing matter!"

CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury said Modi's words were "truly shameful" because they "insult our Air Force as being ignorant and unprofessional".