In a significant revelation, Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Indian Army’s 15th Infantry Division, disclosed on Monday that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar using drones and missiles during the night of May 7–8. The move was reportedly in retaliation for India’s strikes on nine terrorist hideouts located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The senior Indian Army officer stated that, lacking legitimate military targets, Pakistan was anticipated to target civilian and religious sites within India.
A senior official told ANI that, aware the Pakistan Army lacked legitimate military targets, Indian authorities anticipated potential attacks on military installations, civilian areas, and religious sites. “Among these, the Golden Temple stood out as a likely target,” he said.
Major General Seshadri told ANI that the Indian Army had mobilized advanced air defence systems to provide comprehensive protection to the Golden Temple amid rising tensions.
In the early hours of May 8, Pakistan launched a large-scale air assault using drones and long-range missiles under the cover of darkness. “On the morning of May 8, Pakistan carried out a massive aerial attack involving unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range missiles,” he said.
However, the Indian Army had anticipated such an operation. “We were fully prepared. Our vigilant and courageous air defence gunners intercepted and destroyed all incoming threats aimed at the Golden Temple,” he added, noting that the sacred site remained completely unharmed in the attack.
Anticipating that the Pakistan Army, lacking legitimate military targets, might strike Indian military facilities, civilian areas, or religious sites, Indian defence officials had identified the Golden Temple as a likely focal point, a senior official told ANI.
In response, the Indian Army took preemptive measures to protect the sacred site. “We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to provide a comprehensive air defence shield over the Golden Temple,” said Major General Seshadri.
The threat materialized in the early hours of May 8, when Pakistan launched a large-scale aerial assault under the cover of darkness, deploying drones and long-range missiles. “Pakistan carried out a massive air attack using unmanned aerial weapons, primarily drones and long-range missiles,” the officer said.
Thanks to prior intelligence and readiness, Indian forces were fully prepared. All incoming threats were intercepted and neutralized, ensuring the Golden Temple remained unharmed.In the aftermath of the attack, the Indian Army conducted a demonstration to highlight the effectiveness of its air defence systems, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, in intercepting and neutralizing Pakistani drones and missiles. These systems played a crucial role in safeguarding the Golden Temple and several key urban centers across Punjab.
A statement from the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the large-scale assault targeted multiple Indian cities and military installations during the night, including Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and Bhuj. Explosions were also reported across the Kashmir region.
“These threats were successfully neutralised by the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems,” the statement added.
