In a significant and tense escalation between India and Pakistan, Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division, revealed that Pakistan had attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar with missiles and drones following India's precise strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan. The Indian Army, anticipating such a retaliatory move, had already strengthened its air defence in the region, which ensured complete interception of all aerial threats aimed at the iconic religious site.
According to Maj. Gen. Seshadri, intelligence and strategic foresight had led the Army to expect that Pakistan, lacking legitimate military targets, would attempt to strike symbolic civilian and religious landmarks. Among these, the Golden Temple—being one of the most prominent religious sites—was deemed especially vulnerable. As a result, modern air defence assets were deployed to form a comprehensive protective shield over Amritsar.
On May 8, Pakistan launched a coordinated air assault using drones, long-range missiles, and loitering munitions. However, the Indian Army’s air defence units, including systems like the Akash missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, responded swiftly, ensuring that not a single projectile struck the Golden Temple or surrounding civilian areas.
The Army also showcased how these systems successfully neutralised a wide range of aerial threats during a public demonstration on Monday. This included intercepting micro UAVs, drones, and loitering munitions over several cities in Punjab.
This air attack came in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, in which terror infrastructure in Pakistan was targeted with "absolute precision." Among the nine targets hit were high-profile terror hubs:
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Muridke, near Lahore, home to Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT).
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Bahawalpur, where the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has its headquarters.
Importantly, the Indian Army clarified that it deliberately avoided targeting Pakistani civilian and military infrastructure, focusing solely on terrorist bases. The retaliation from Pakistan, however, showed no such restraint, aiming at both military and symbolic civilian sites, including the Golden Temple.
The confrontation lasted for four days, during which the Indian Air Defence systems proved their effectiveness, and the situation was brought under control with a ceasefire agreement. Despite the scale of the attack, India sustained minimal damage, a testament to the preparedness and capability of its defence forces.
This marked one of the most intense cross-border confrontations in recent years, with religious sites becoming part of the conflict narrative, sparking concern and condemnation. The successful defence of the Golden Temple was seen as both a strategic and emotional victory, given its spiritual significance to millions.
