Indian Army Thwarts Pakistan’s Drone and Missile Attack on Golden Temple

20th May 2025 at 9:54 AM

1 minute read

The Pakistan Army, for the first time, resorted to cross-border firing along the International Border in the Paragwal sector of Jammu on Tuesday night, following days of unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC).

AMRITSAR: The Indian Army successfully neutralized a Pakistani attempt to strike the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar with drones and missiles, an act described as retaliation for India’s recent anti-terror operation. The assault, launched in response to India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was intercepted through advanced air defense measures, ensuring no damage to the sacred Sikh shrine.

Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division, revealed that Pakistan’s attack occurred in the early hours of May 8, 2025. Anticipating such a move, the Indian Army had deployed robust air defense systems, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, to protect key locations. “Pakistan resorted to a large-scale air assault using drones and long-range missiles, but our vigilant air defense gunners neutralized every threat, safeguarding the Golden Temple,” Seshadri stated.

The Army’s preparedness stemmed from intelligence indicating Pakistan’s intent to target civilian and religious sites, with the Golden Temple being a primary focus. Lt General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, overseeing air defense operations, told that the shrine’s management cooperated by allowing the deployment of air defense guns within the temple premises and switching off lights to enhance visibility of incoming drones. “This was a rare and significant gesture by the head granthi,” D’Cunha noted.

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), responsible for Sikh religious affairs, responded to the incident. SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan initially dismissed the possibility of any threat to the Golden Temple, emphasizing its spiritual significance as a place of peace. He later clarified that his remarks reflected personal beliefs, not a direct rebuttal of the Army’s claims, stating, “No person of any faith could conceive of harming this sacred shrine.”

Operation Sindoor, launched following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, that killed 26 civilians, involved precise strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. The Indian Army’s swift response to Pakistan’s retaliatory attack underscores its commitment to protecting national and cultural landmarks, with officials reaffirming their readiness to counter further threats.