India (Commonwealth Union)_ In a dramatic escalation of hostilities following India’s precision strikes against terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Indian Armed Forces successfully defended one of the nation’s most sacred landmarks, the Golden Temple in Amritsar, from a retaliatory aerial assault launched by Pakistan on May 8. The provocation came in response to Operation Sindoor, an Indian military offensive that targeted nine known terrorist hubs, including key locations in Muridke and Bahawalpur, believed to be headquarters of the Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed terror outfits. The operation was executed with pinpoint accuracy, and according to Indian officials, great care was taken to avoid civilian and military infrastructure in Pakistan.
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However, Pakistan’s response marked a concerning shift. In a move condemned for its targeting of civilian and cultural sites, Pakistan launched a large-scale drone and missile attack, directly aiming at the Golden Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revered by millions around the globe. Accordingly, Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Indian Army’s 15th Infantry Division, revealed on Monday that the attack was thwarted in its entirety due to India’s preemptive deployment of advanced air defence systems. He stated that military intelligence had foreseen the possibility of Pakistan retaliating not just against military targets, but also civilian and religious sites, the Golden Temple being a high-profile potential target.
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Major General Seshadri stated, “Knowing that the Pakistan Army does not have any legitimate military targets, we anticipated they would aim for our military installations and prominent civilian or religious landmarks”. He added, “We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to create a comprehensive aerial shield over the Golden Temple.” The attack unfolded in the early hours of May 8 under the cover of darkness. Pakistan launched a coordinated aerial assault using unmanned aerial vehicles, long-range missiles, and loitering munitions in a bid to strike deep into Indian territory.
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However, with the excellent vigilance and preparedness of India’s air defence units, including the Panther Division, all incoming drones and missiles were intercepted before they could cause any damage. “Our brave and alert air defence gunners successfully neutralised every hostile target aimed at the Golden Temple,” Major General Seshadri confirmed. “Not a single scratch was inflicted on the holy shrine.” The Indian Army demonstrated its technological and operational readiness by deploying a wide range of air defence systems, such as the Akash missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns. The GOC noted that these systems played a crucial role in securing not only the Golden Temple but also other cities across Punjab from the incoming aerial threats.
In a powerful video released by the Indian Army’s Panther Division, soldiers reiterated their commitment to national security and the eradication of terrorism. One soldier declared, “We are the Panthers. We will strike from within the enemy’s territory. We have no fear. With vengeance in our minds and pride in our hearts, we stand ready. India has launched Operation Sindoor to uproot terrorism once and for all.” The aerial attacks by Pakistan reportedly continued for four days following the Indian strikes, but were consistently intercepted by Indian air defence units. While India sustained minimal damage during this period, the situation raised alarm over the targeting of religious and civilian sites in armed conflict.
Intense cross-border exchanges eventually led to a ceasefire agreement, but the incident has left significant strategic and diplomatic ramifications behind. This episode offers an important example of India’s defensive capabilities in the face of asymmetric threats and underlines the need for constant vigilance in protecting the nation’s heritage and civilian life during conflict. The successful interception of every projectile aimed at the Golden Temple stands as a testament to India’s military preparedness and resolve.
