Pakistani Forces Attempted to Target Golden Temple, Indian Army Foiled Attack

In a serious escalation following India’s recent counter-terror strikes, Pakistani forces attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar with drones and missiles on the night of May 7–8. Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division, confirmed the attempted attack during a media briefing on Monday.

The Indian Army had anticipated such retaliation after launching strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Expecting that Pakistan might not target legitimate military installations, the Army suspected civilian and religious locations would be in the crosshairs, with the Golden Temple emerging as the most likely target.

“Pakistan had no military targets to respond with, so we prepared for an attack on religious or civilian infrastructure,” Major General Seshadri said. He emphasized that the Golden Temple, one of the holiest sites in India, was a primary concern due to its prominence.

To defend the site, Indian forces deployed advanced air defence systems, creating what the Army described as a “holistic air defence umbrella.” When the attack came in the early hours of May 8, the Indian Army was fully prepared. Pakistani forces launched a coordinated aerial assault using unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range missiles under the cover of darkness.

“Our alert air defence gunners were ready,” said Seshadri. “They intercepted and destroyed all incoming threats, ensuring not even a scratch touched the holy Golden Temple.”

The attempted attack underscores rising tensions in the region and highlights India’s readiness to protect its critical civilian and religious landmarks. The successful interception also demonstrated the Indian Army’s improved surveillance and air defence capabilities amid an increasingly complex security environment.