Watch: How India’s air defence stopped Pakistan’s strike on the Golden Temple

Indian Army shows debris of Pakistan-launched missiles that were intercepted and taken down by Indian Air Defence systems. (Screengrab: ANI)

The Indian Army on Monday effectively demonstrated its air defense prowess, successfully neutralizing missile and drone threats from Pakistan. Utilizing the homegrown AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, the operation safeguarded multiple cities in Punjab, including the holy Golden Temple, from destruction.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Indian Army shows a demo of how Indian Air Defence systems, including AKASH missile system, L-70 Air Defence Guns, saved the Golden Temple in Amritsar and cities of Punjab from Pakistani missile and drone attacks. pic.twitter.com/yulFvSFqKv

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ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025

This demonstration came in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, which began after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. In response, on May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting major terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Following this, Pakistan initiated a series of missile and drone attacks aimed at border areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana, all of which were successfully thwarted by the Indian armed forces.

Major General Kartik C. Seshadri, GOC of the 15 Infantry Division, stated, "Knowing that the Pakistan Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated that they would aim at Indian military installations and civilian sites, particularly religious places. The Golden Temple was the most prominent among these."

He added that the Army "mobilized additional modern air defense assets to provide comprehensive air defense coverage for the Golden Temple."

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Major General Kartik C Seshadri, GOC, 15 Infantry Division says "...Indian Army remains steadfast on the path of modernisation and focused transformation of which indigenisation is a significant component for self-reliance. Raksha Mantri has declared https://t.co/CcesJBU4uupic.twitter.com/WKZEM0SnEN ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025

Referring to the extensive air assault by Pakistan involving unmanned aerial vehicles, primarily drones and long-range missiles, on the morning of May 8, Seshadri said, "We were fully prepared since we had anticipated this."

"Our brave and vigilant army air defense gunners successfully mitigated the Pakistan Army's malicious plans, shooting down all drones and missiles targeted at the Golden Temple, ensuring that our sacred site was not harmed," he said.

"Following the dastardly terrorist attack sponsored by the Pakistan Army targeting innocent tourists, both domestic and international, the nation's anger manifested in Operation Sindoor, which consisted of precise retaliatory strikes on specific terror targets. Nine targets were successfully engaged, with seven being completely destroyed by the Indian Army. Notably, we targeted the Muridke area near Lahore, home to the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters, as well as the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters in Bahawalpur, striking with absolute precision. After the operation, we made it clear that we intentionally avoided targeting any Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure," he stated.

#WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Major General Kartik C Seshadri, GOC, 15 Infantry Division says "...Indian Army remains steadfast on the path of modernisation and focused transformation of which indigenisation is a significant component for self-reliance. Raksha Mantri has declared https://t.co/CcesJBU4uupic.twitter.com/WKZEM0SnEN

ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025

Seshadri also emphasized that the Army is a professional, responsible force that has always responded with restraint in the face of provocations. "We only target known terrorist camps with precision weapons, ensuring there is no collateral damage—something even the Pakistan Army has acknowledged during various operations."

He pointed out that the Pakistan Army has no legitimate targets within India and lacks the courage or capability to confront the Indian Armed Forces directly. "Consequently, they resort to terrorism as a national policy and deploy unmanned aerial weapons launched from their own territory," he explained.

"Drones and long-range missiles have been launched from Pakistani territory, targeting not only Indian military installations but also civilian populations, including women and children, which have been deemed legitimate targets by the Pakistan military. They even attacked religious sites, with the Golden Temple, an internationally renowned place of worship, being a prime example. These aerial attacks were bravely countered by our Army air defense gunners, who will continue to thwart all threats," he added.

Regarding Operation Sindoor, soldiers from the Panther Division of the Army stated, "We are representatives of the panther. We will penetrate enemy lines and eliminate threats from within. We fear no one. There is a desire for revenge, passion in our hearts, and pride in our eyes. To eradicate terrorism, India has launched Operation Sindoor."

A local resident from one of the villages near the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, Jasbir Singh, expressed, "Our army is the pride of our nation. We can live peacefully in our cities because our army secures our borders. It is thanks to them that we enjoy this peace. During the recent tensions, the army came near our village and fields. We stand with our army as much as we can, and they have upheld their promise to protect us."