In a significant escalation following India’s precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Indian Army confirmed that Pakistan attempted a large-scale aerial attack targeting the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding of the 15th Infantry Division, revealed that the attack occurred during the early hours of May 8, using a combination of drones and long-range missiles. The retaliation came after India launched “Operation Sindoor” in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead.

Anticipating that Pakistan would target religious or civilian locations due to lack of legitimate military targets, the Indian Army had bolstered its air defence around the Golden Temple. “Knowing that the Pak Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated that they would target Indian military installations, civilian targets including religious places,” said Major General Seshadri. The Golden Temple, being one of the most prominent religious sites, was placed under a comprehensive air defence shield involving modern systems like the AKASH missile and L-70 air defence guns.

According to the Army, the alertness and preparedness of the air defence units led to the successful interception of all incoming threats, ensuring no harm came to the shrine. The Army later showcased its defence capabilities through a demonstration. A Defence Ministry statement confirmed that multiple Indian cities—including Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, and Ludhiana—were also targeted, but all threats were neutralized by India’s Integrated Counter-UAS and Air Defence Systems. This incident marks one of the most direct attempts by Pakistan to strike at the heart of India’s cultural heritage in recent times.