In a recent revelation, the Indian Army disclosed that it successfully thwarted a Pakistani attempt to strike the Golden Temple in Amritsar following India's Operation Sindoor. The incident occurred on the intervening night of May 7 and 8, marking a tense period in the relationship between the two nations.
Major General Kartik C Seshadri, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division, confirmed that Indian forces had anticipated such a retaliatory move from Pakistan after India's strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the death of 26 civilians.
According to Major General Seshadri, Pakistan's military, lacking legitimate military targets, was expected to target civilian and religious sites within India. The Golden Temple, a highly revered shrine for Sikhs worldwide, was identified as a prominent target. In anticipation, the Indian Army mobilized additional modern air defense assets to provide a comprehensive air defense umbrella over the Golden Temple.
The Pakistani assault involved a large-scale air operation utilizing drones and long-range missiles under the cover of darkness. However, the Indian Army's preparedness ensured that all incoming threats were intercepted and destroyed. Alert air defense gunners successfully shot down the drones and missiles, preventing any damage to the Golden Temple. The Army showcased how its air defense systems, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, effectively neutralized the aerial threats, safeguarding not only the Golden Temple but also key cities across Punjab.
Several border towns, including Amritsar, were placed on high alert during the four nights of intense conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this month. Soldiers deployed along the international border shared updates on Operation Sindoor, highlighting the army's decisive response to Pakistan-backed terrorism. One soldier recounted an engagement on the night of May 8-9, where Indian forces accurately fired upon and foiled an infiltration attempt.
Another soldier stationed near the international border emphasized the readiness of the forces to counter any threats, including drone attacks, air attacks, and counter-bombardment. He highlighted the effectiveness of the Indian defense system, noting that only a fraction of the ammunition of ground-based and army air defense weapons was used. The army also recovered various drones, including Kamikaze and micro-drones, some of which were identified as being of Turkish origin.
The revelation of Pakistan's targeting of the Golden Temple has sparked widespread condemnation. The act was seen as an attempt to incite communal tensions within India. Despite the provocations, the Indian Army has maintained that it remains a professional, righteous, and responsible force, committed to responding in a calibrated and measured manner. The army emphasized that its strikes are targeted at known terrorist camps with precision weapons, ensuring minimal collateral damage, a fact acknowledged even by the Pakistan Army.
