Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a major security development, Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding of the 15th Infantry Division, confirmed that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar using drones and long-range missiles in the early hours of May 8. The attack came in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, a coordinated military offensive on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), conducted after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives.
The senior Army officer stated that Indian intelligence had anticipated Pakistan’s likely retaliation, including potential strikes on civilian and religious sites due to the lack of legitimate military targets. “Knowing the Pak Army’s pattern, we predicted an attack on key Indian installations, including religious sites. The Golden Temple stood out as a symbolic target,” said Major General Seshadri in a statement to ANI.
In response, the Indian Army deployed additional advanced air defence systems, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, to create a protective shield over the Golden Temple. Thanks to these measures, all incoming aerial threats were intercepted and neutralised, ensuring no damage occurred to the holy site.
“Our alert and courageous air defence gunners successfully thwarted Pakistan’s attempt. Not a single drone or missile struck the Golden Temple,” the officer added. The Army later demonstrated the effectiveness of the air defence network, showcasing how key targets across Punjab—including Amritsar, Pathankot, and Ludhiana—were protected.
The Defence Ministry also confirmed that several Indian cities and military bases—including Jammu, Srinagar, Chandigarh, and Bhuj—were targeted in the overnight assault. However, the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and air defence systems neutralised all threats.
This escalation follows India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, which aimed to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure in response to the growing threat of militant attacks.
