In an unprecedented development, the revered Golden Temple in Amritsar granted special permission to the Indian Army to deploy air defence systems within its sacred premises. The rare move came amid increased Pakistani drone and missile attacks targeting Amritsar in retaliation to India’s launch of Operation Sindoor, a counter-terror strike initiated after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam.
Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, confirmed in an interview with ANI that the decision by the Head Granthi (chief religious official) of the Golden Temple was crucial in thwarting aerial attacks. The Army had requested the deployment of guns to protect the temple, anticipating that religious sites could become targets in the escalating conflict with Pakistan.
In a notable moment, the lights of the Golden Temple were turned off for the first time in many years, allowing air defence teams to track and intercept incoming drones under cover of darkness. “It was very nice that the Head Granthi allowed us to deploy our guns. They even agreed to switch off the temple lights so we could visually confirm and destroy incoming threats,” said Lt. Gen. D'Cunha.
He highlighted the understanding and cooperation shown by the Golden Temple authorities, acknowledging the shrine’s global spiritual significance and the daily presence of thousands of pilgrims. “They understood the national security risk. Once explained, they supported us in protecting a monument of international importance.”
Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division, also confirmed that all drone and missile threats directed at the Golden Temple were successfully intercepted. He said the Pakistan Army, facing a lack of legitimate military targets inside India, opted to attack civilian and religious sites to create confusion and fear.
“The Pakistan Army lacks both the capability and the will to engage our forces directly. Instead, they rely on remote attacks, including drone warfare, to target sensitive areas,” Major General Seshadri said. “Religious places like the Golden Temple were specifically targeted, but our air defence teams acted swiftly and neutralized every threat.”
The Indian Army had anticipated this strategy. By closely monitoring intelligence and threat patterns, they prepared for the possibility that Pakistani forces would aim for symbolic civilian targets rather than engaging in conventional warfare. The surge in drone and missile activity followed India’s air and missile strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, executed in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. In retaliation, Pakistan launched nearly 1,000 drones toward Indian territory all of which were neutralized without causing civilian casualties or damage to critical infrastructure.
The Army’s rapid response, enabled by rare coordination with religious institutions like the Golden Temple, underscores how India is integrating cultural sensitivity and national security in times of crisis. As tensions along the India-Pakistan border remain volatile, India’s ability to anticipate, act, and neutralize such threats has reinforced its strategic and defensive readiness.
