Amritsar, India – India’s air defence forces thwarted an alleged attempt by Pakistan to target the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar during a recent military escalation, a senior defence official said on Monday.
The disclosure came during a demonstration of the country’s air defence systems, which included indigenous Akash surface-to-air missiles and L-70 anti-aircraft guns, credited with intercepting incoming drones and long-range missiles during the exchange.
“Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor was launched and punitive strikes were conducted against terror infrastructure in Pakistan. Seven out of nine designated targets were destroyed,” the official said.
According to the defence official, credible intelligence indicated that Pakistan intended to strike Indian military installations and symbolic civilian targets, including religious sites. “Among these, the Golden Temple was the most prominent. We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to provide a holistic umbrella over the shrine,” he added.
The official said that on the morning of May 8, Pakistan launched a large-scale air offensive using drones and missiles. “Our alert air defence gunners neutralised all incoming threats aimed at the Golden Temple,” the official noted, without providing further details on the nature of the intercepted munitions or potential damage.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the Sikh shrine, declined to comment on the army’s claims. SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Mannan did not respond when asked about the incident.
Amritsar Member of Parliament Gurjit Singh Aujla thanked the army for preventing a potential tragedy. “We are grateful to our forces for their vigilance in protecting this sacred site,” he said. There was no immediate comment from Pakistan on the allegations. Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours remain high following a string of cross-border incidents.
