The Indian Army has dismissed recent media reports that claimed air defence (AD) guns were deployed at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The army clarified that no such equipment or resources were placed within the premises of Sri Darbar Sahib.
Earlier, in an interview with ANI, Lieutenant General D’Cunha mentioned that the head granthi (chief priest) played a key role in allowing the army to place air defence systems near the holy site. He also noted that, for the first time, the lights of the Golden Temple were turned off to help detect and counter drones possibly entering from Pakistan.
Indian Army Refutes Air Defence Guns Inside Golden Temple
The Indian Army has denied media reports suggesting that air defence (AD) guns were deployed inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Officials confirmed that no such military equipment was placed within the premises of Sri Darbar Sahib.
Earlier, in a conversation with ANI, Lieutenant General D’Cunha said the head granthi (chief priest) supported the army in placing air defence systems near the temple, not inside it. He also revealed that, for the first time, the Golden Temple’s lights were switched off to help spot and stop possible drone threats from Pakistan.
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Army and Golden Temple Authorities Clarify Drone Defence Deployment
Following multiple drone and projectile attacks from Pakistan on Amritsar, reportedly in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, a retaliation to the April 22 terror strikes in Pahalgam, confusion arose over claims of air defence systems being deployed at the Golden Temple.
Responding to these reports, Singh Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh, the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple, dismissed any deployment of air defence equipment inside the shrine’s premises. He stated, “I was on leave and travelling abroad. I have no information about the Indian Army contacting us. There should be a proper investigation into this. The Army’s actual intentions must be made clear.”
The Indian Army also issued a clarification, denying the deployment of air defence guns within Sri Darbar Sahib. This statement came after media reports cited Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Air Defence Chief, claiming that the Head Granthi had given permission for such deployment within the holy shrine.
In an interview with ANI, Lieutenant General D’Cunha said, “It was very kind of the Head Granthi to allow us to deploy our guns. Possibly for the first time, the Golden Temple’s lights were turned off, which helped us detect drones more effectively.” He added that once the threat was explained, the Golden Temple authorities allowed the deployment to protect this national heritage site visited by thousands daily.
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The Indian Army has confirmed that Pakistani drones and missiles attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar, but all threats were successfully intercepted by Army Air Defence (AAD) units. This revelation came amid rising tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor, a counterstrike launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Referring to an earlier statement by Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division, Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha said the Indian Army had anticipated such actions from Pakistan. “We understood early on that Pakistan had no legitimate military targets and would likely aim at religious and civilian sites to spread chaos. That’s why we prepared in advance to defend key locations like the Golden Temple,” he said.
Major General Seshadri confirmed that every drone and missile targeting the Golden Temple was destroyed by Indian AAD gunners. “Pakistan lacks both the courage and capability to engage our armed forces directly. Instead, it uses terrorism and aerial weapons like drones to create fear and confusion. Even sacred places like the Golden Temple became targets, but our troops stood firm and neutralised every threat,” he said.
The spike in drone activity followed India’s targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In retaliation, Pakistan launched nearly 1,000 drones towards Indian civilian areas, many along the border. However, Indian air defence forces successfully shot down all of them.
Additionally, the Indian Army dealt significant blows to Pakistani airbases, inflicting serious damage and casualties on their military infrastructure.
