India Confirms Pak Targeted Golden Temple, Army Foiled Attack

India-West News Desk

AMRITSAR- The Indian Army confirmed on May 12 that it had successfully intercepted a Pakistani drone and missile attack targeting the Golden Temple, just days after India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, under “Operation Sindoor.”

At a briefing in Amritsar, Army officials displayed debris from the intercepted drones and missiles, indicating that the Golden Temple had been one of the intended targets. Major General Kartik C. Seshadri, General Officer Commanding of the 15th Infantry Division, stated that the shrine was in Pakistan’s direct line of fire.

“Knowing they had no legitimate military targets, we expected them to go after civilian and religious sites. The Golden Temple, being a symbol of peace and spirituality, was their most prominent target,” he said.

The Army had anticipated such a move and preemptively strengthened air defenses around the temple. According to Seshadri, none of the threats managed to breach the perimeter. “Our gunners were alert. Every incoming drone and missile was shot down. The Golden Temple was untouched.”

In a rare and significant decision, the temple authorities allowed the Army to deploy air defense systems within the shrine complex. On May 8, lights at the temple were switched off for the first time in history to aid radar detection of incoming threats.

Lt. General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, acknowledged the cooperation of the temple management. “The Head Granthi gave us permission to deploy guns. It was a historic decision and critical to our defense effort,” he said.

D’Cunha also credited tactical measures such as shifting radar positions and engaging threats only within gun range to keep their defenses concealed.

Leaders from the Sikh community in India and abroad have expressed relief and appreciation that the Golden Temple—Sikhism’s holiest shrine—was safeguarded.