Indian military officials disclosed Monday that Pakistani forces attempted to target the sacred Golden Temple in Amritsar with drones and missiles during the night between May 7 and 8. This attack came as retaliation following India’s strikes against terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Major General Kartik C Seshadri, commanding the 15th Infantry Division, revealed to ANI that they had anticipated Pakistan would aim at significant civilian and religious sites rather than legitimate military targets.
“The Golden Temple appeared to be their most prominent target,” stated Major General Seshadri. “We deployed additional modern air defense assets to provide comprehensive protection to the Golden Temple.”
The attack unfolded in darkness during the early hours of May 8, with Pakistan launching a coordinated air assault using unmanned drones and long-range missiles. However, Indian forces were prepared for this possibility.
“Our brave and vigilant army air defense personnel thwarted Pakistan Army’s malicious intentions by shooting down all drones and missiles directed at the Golden Temple,” the Major General explained. “Not even a scratch reached our holy site.”
The Indian Army conducted a demonstration showcasing how their defense systems, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, successfully intercepted the incoming threats, safeguarding both the Golden Temple and major cities throughout Punjab.
According to a statement from the defense ministry, multiple Indian cities and military installations were targeted during the overnight assault, including Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and Bhuj. Residents across Kashmir reported hearing explosions.
“These threats were neutralized by the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems,” the ministry statement confirmed.
The Pakistani attacks followed India’s Operation Sindoor – a military strike targeting nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. This operation was conducted in response to an April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives.