Our air defence system foiled Pakistan’s bid to target Golden Temple: Defence official

Pakistan targeted the Golden Temple in Amritsar during the recent conflict with India. However, the attempt was foiled by the Indian air defence system.

This was claimed by a senior defence official on Monday while demonstrating India’s air defence system, including indigenous Akash missiles and L-70 air defence guns, that intercepted the Pakistani drones and missiles.

"Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor was launched and punitive strikes carried out on terror targets in Pakistan. Of the nine targets hit, seven were exclusively destroyed,” said the official.

He said the army was fully prepared to foil any misadventure by the Pakistan military. The defence system remained operative 24x7, and intercepted and neutralised all attacks targeted at military installations and religious places, he said.

“We anticipated that they would target our military installations besides the civilian targets, including religious places, said the official, adding, “Of these, the Golden Temple was the most prominent. We received credible intelligence that the Golden Temple was their target. We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to provide a holistic air defence umbrella cover to the shrine.”

He said that on May 8 morning, Pakistan carried out a massive air assault with drones and long-range missiles. “However, our alert air defence gunners foiled its attempts and shot down all drones and missiles targeted at the Golden Temple.”

Meanwhile, the SGPC refused to comment on the issue. When asked about the army claim, SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Mannan did not say anything.

Amritsar MP Gurjit Aujla, meanwhile, thanked the army for foiling the attack.