Amritsar: The Indian Army has firmly denied claims that air defence (AD) guns or any other military equipment were placed inside the premises of the Golden Temple during Operation Sindoor. The operation was reportedly initiated amid rising tensions with Pakistan. In an official statement on Tuesday, the Army clarified, “Some media reports are circulating with respect to deployment of AD guns in the Golden Temple. It is clarified that NO AD guns or any other AD resource was deployed within the premises of Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar (Golden Temple).”
Army Rejects Air Defence Deployment Claims at Harmandir Sahib
The clarification comes after certain reports suggested that the Sri Harmandir Sahib management had allegedly allowed the Army to install air defence systems to counter possible drone or missile threats. However, this claim has been categorically denied by both the Indian Army and Sikh religious authorities.
SGPC, Priests Refute Media Reports
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which manages the Golden Temple, has also rejected the reports. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami confirmed that while the Army had requested lights be switched off during a citywide blackout for safety reasons, no defence equipment was installed at the shrine.
“We cooperated with the Army for public safety by switching off lights, but we never allowed deployment of any military hardware inside the Golden Temple,” said Dhami. He further stated that the SGPC was never contacted for such deployment, and there was no formal request from Army officials regarding the matter.
Additional Head Priest Giani Amarjeet Singh also dismissed the claims, calling them “shockingly untrue.” He confirmed that no air defence systems or weapons were brought into the temple premises. Giani Raghbir Singh, Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib, who was overseas at the time of Operation Sindoor, added that he was not contacted for any such arrangement, and no such activity took place at the holy shrine.
The temple authorities clarified that while exterior and upper lights were turned off during the blackout, essential interior lighting remained operational to continue daily religious duties in line with the shrine’s maryada (religious code of conduct). “The Langar, Akhand Path Sahib recitations, and other daily prayers continued as usual. There was no disruption in religious services,” confirmed Singh. Dhami also pointed out that thousands of devotees were present at the temple during this period, and any movement of military equipment would have been noticed.
Calls for Clarification Over 'False Narratives'
While acknowledging the Army’s preparedness during times of national tension, the SGPC criticised the spread of misinformation and called for official clarification from the central government.
“These kinds of rumours are damaging and misleading. We urge authorities to put out a formal denial,” Dhami added.
The Indian Army's statement has now helped to set the record straight, reaffirming that the sanctity of the Golden Temple remained undisturbed during Operation Sindoor.
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