Amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian Army demonstrated its strength and preparedness by thwarting a major aerial assault from Pakistan that targeted both military and civilian structures in Punjab including the iconic Golden Temple in Amritsar.
The attempted strike, which occurred in the early hours of May 8, involved Pakistan deploying drones and long-range missiles aimed at high-profile Indian targets. Thanks to India’s robust air defence systems, including the AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, all incoming threats were intercepted before they could cause any damage.
Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15 Infantry Division, confirmed the Army had prior intelligence about the likelihood of religious landmarks, especially the Golden Temple, being targeted. “Knowing that the Pakistan Army does not have any legitimate military targets, we anticipated they would go after civilian and religious locations,” he stated.
To counter these threats, the Indian Army had rapidly mobilized advanced air defence infrastructure and created a protective aerial shield over key sites across Punjab. “Our brave air defence gunners were fully prepared. Every single aerial weapon launched drones, long-range missiles, UAVs was neutralized before it could hit the ground,” said Major General Seshadri. “Not even a scratch came upon the Golden Temple.”
The defence display not only secured Amritsar but also safeguarded several other border cities in Punjab. India’s air defence capability, already known for its precision and reliability, proved to be a globally relevant deterrent during this intense military phase.
The aerial assault by Pakistan followed India’s precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory mission carried out after the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, including foreign tourists. In this operation, India hit nine terror camps deep inside Pakistani territory. Seven of these targets were destroyed solely by the Indian Army. “These were not military or civilian areas,” the Major General emphasized, “but exclusive terrorist camps including Lashkar-e-Taiba’s headquarters in Muridke near Lahore and Jaish-e-Mohammed’s base in Bahawalpur. Our strikes were precise and deliberate.”
India also made it clear post-strike that its military action was limited to counterterrorism objectives and deliberately avoided Pakistan’s civilian infrastructure or military installations a move aimed at preventing wider escalation while asserting the country’s zero-tolerance policy on cross-border terrorism. The interception of hostile aerial threats and precision targeting under Operation Sindoor underscores the readiness and strategic depth of Indian defence forces. The successful neutralization of drone and missile attacks reaffirms India’s technological edge and tactical acumen in securing both its citizens and cultural heritage.
