Our Bureau
Amritsar
In clear acts of bravery and valour, the armed forces safeguarded many cities in the border states of India during the recent conflict with Pakistan, which witnessed drone attacks and other form of air assault that was intercepted and destroyed before it could cause destruction in civil establishments.
The Indian Army’s Air defence systems played a critical role in repelling Pakistan’s misadventures. The Army on Monday showcased a demonstration 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.
Major General Kartik C Seshadri, GOC (General Officer Commanding) 15 Infantry Division, said that the Indian army had anticipated Pakistan’s move to target its military installations along with civilian establishments here, including religious places such as the Golden Temple, which was the prime target according to information received from the intelligence.
“Knowing that the Pak Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated that they would target Indian military installations, civilian targets, including religious places. Of these, the Golden Temple appeared to be the most prominent. We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to give a holistic air defence umbrella cover to Golden Temple,” Major General Seshadri said.
He stated that Pakistan engaged in an air assault with aerial weapons, including drones and long-range missiles, targeting the Golden Temple, which was “thwarted” by the army personnel, who remained prepared for such situations and attacks.
“On 8th May early morning, in the hours of darkness, Pakistan carried out a massive air assault with unmanned aerial weapons, primarily drones and long-range missiles. We were fully prepared since we had anticipated this, and our braveheart and alert army air defence gunners thwarted Pakistan Army’s nefarious designs and shot down all drones and missiles targeted at the Golden Temple. Thus, not allowing even a scratch to come on our holy Golden Temple,” Seshadri said.
The GOC 15 Infantry Division explained in detail the consequences of the Pahalgam terror attack, which prompted the launch of Operation Sindoor, where India attacked nine terror camps deep inside Pakistan’s territory, resulting in aggression from the Pakistani side.
“Consequent to the Pak Army-sponsored dastardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists, both domestic and international, the nation’s anger under able leadership took the form of Operation Sindoor, wherein befitting punitive strikes were carried out on exclusive terror targets. Nine targets were hit. Of the nine targets, seven were exclusively destroyed by the Indian Army,” Major General Seshadri said.
The Major General said that the armed forces targeted many places with “absolute precision” during Operation Sindoor, striking areas like Muridke and Bahawalpur, which house the headquarters of terrorist organisations.
“Of these (nine) targets, Muridke, which is in proximity to Lahore, houses the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba headquarters and also the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters at Bahawalpur, which were struck with absolute precision. Soon after the strikes, we issued a statement clarifying that we intentionally did not target any Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure,” he added.
India’s Air Defence Systems proved their prowess at the height of the tensions between the two neighbours, intercepting numerous drones, missiles, micro UAVs, and loitering munitions, emerging as a globally actionable defence asset.
In a powerful testament to the Indian Army’s vigilance and strength, soldiers deployed along the international border in Amritsar, Punjab, shared critical updates on Operation Sindoor, a decisive military response to Pakistan-backed terrorism.
A soldier of the Indian Army recounted a recent engagement, “At this time, we are a part of Operation Sindoor…On the night of 8-9 May, they suddenly fired on us and tried to infiltrate. We fired accurately at the enemy and foiled their infiltration attempt. The result of our firing was that by the morning, the enemy came on their knees and hoisted a white flag on their post. We assure our countrymen that as long as the Indian Army is deployed on the borders of the country, no one can raise their eyes towards this country…”
Another soldier stationed at a well concealed area close to international border said, “Under Operation Sindoor, the Indian armed forces launched a successful strike against terror infrastructure against Pakistan. After 22nd April, we started our preparations and were ready to deploy at short notice. Presently, you are standing in a well-concealed and well-protected gun position of the Panther gunners close to the international border. We are prepared for all and any kind of threats that the enemy might throw at us, which includes drone attacks, air attacks, counter-bombardment and any other hybrid threats. We stand vigilant. We stand alert and are ready to thwart any nefarious designs that the enemy might throw at us…”
Highlighting the effectiveness of Indian defence system, another soldier said, “Only 10% of the ammunition of ground-based air defence weapons and Army air defence weapons were used…We have recovered Kamikaze drones and micro-drones like YIHA-III and Songar, which are likely of Turkish origin…It is very difficult to breach our air defence wall…”
He further said, “On 7th May, when we identified and hit top militant installations like LeT headquarters in Muridke in Pakistan and PoK, it was predicted that Pakistan would retaliate and target our main air bases and military installations. But by surprise, some Kamikaze drones, surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles were launched directly for the Golden Temple. After not getting any success in causing damage to our air bases and military installations for about 3 days, they targeted civilian areas, Gurdwara Sahib and other areas with these Kamikaze drones and rockets. All the air raid was intercepted and shot down with great precision…”
