In a chilling escalation following India’s strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Pakistani military launched a large-scale aerial assault targeting Indian cities—including the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The attack, which involved drones and long-range missiles, was intercepted in time by the Indian Army’s air defence units, preventing any damage to the iconic Sikh shrine. The Indian Army had anticipated such retaliation and was fully prepared to counter the threats.
Pakistan targets civilian and religious sites in retaliation
Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding of the 15th Infantry Division, revealed that Pakistan’s assault came in the early hours of May 8, under the cover of darkness. Lacking legitimate military targets, Pakistan reportedly focused its aggression on civilian and religious sites, with the Golden Temple emerging as the most prominent among them. “Knowing that the Pak Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated they would target military installations or high-profile civilian landmarks,” Seshadri stated.
India had launched a counterterrorism operation, named Operation Sindoor, striking nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and PoK in response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead. In retaliation, Pakistan deployed unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles in a coordinated offensive across northern India. However, thanks to prior intelligence and strategic planning, the Indian Army had already bolstered its air defence around key locations, particularly religious sites like the Golden Temple.
Indian air defence systems neutralise all incoming threats
The Indian Army immediately activated a robust air defence shield to protect vulnerable locations. Additional assets, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, were deployed around the Golden Temple to ensure complete aerial security. Major General Seshadri confirmed that all incoming Pakistani threats were intercepted before impact. “We were fully prepared and our alert air defence gunners shot down all drones and missiles. Not even a scratch came upon our holy Golden Temple,” he said.
The Defence Ministry also confirmed that cities such as Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and Bhuj were all targeted in the attack. Explosions were heard across Kashmir, but the integrated counter-UAS grid and air defence systems responded swiftly to neutralise the threats.
In a post-attack demonstration, the Indian Army showcased how its air defence systems successfully intercepted all hostile aerial weapons, securing not just the Golden Temple but key civilian and military infrastructure across the region.
