ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has denied Indian accusations that it attempted to target the Golden Temple—one of the holiest sites in Sikhism—via drone and missile strikes on the night of May 7-8.
Responding to a media query regarding remarks made by a senior Indian military official, the Foreign Office spokesperson strongly dismissed the claim, calling it “baseless and unfounded.”
“We categorically reject the allegations that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple, the most revered place in the Sikh faith,” the spokesperson said.
Emphasizing Pakistan’s deep respect for all religions and their sacred spaces, the spokesperson added:
“We hold all places of worship in the highest esteem and would never contemplate attacking a site like the Golden Temple.”
In contrast, the spokesperson drew attention to India’s own actions during the night of May 6-7, accusing New Delhi of launching indiscriminate attacks that damaged multiple religious sites in Pakistan, including mosques.
“The Indian allegations are a diversion from their own unacceptable and barbaric acts against places of worship within Pakistan,” the statement noted.
The Foreign Office also highlighted Pakistan’s role as the custodian of key Sikh religious heritage, welcoming thousands of Sikh pilgrims every year through initiatives such as the visa-free Kartarpur Corridor.
“In that context, the claim that Pakistan would target the Golden Temple is not only false, but absurd,” the spokesperson asserted.
According to Pakistan, India’s airstrikes during the conflict led to the deaths of over 50 Pakistani citizens, including both civilians and security personnel.
In response, the Pakistan Armed Forces launched a retaliatory operation, codenamed “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting several Indian military installations across the Line of Control (LoC) and other strategic locations.
Officials described the strikes as “measured, proportionate, and precise,” asserting that they were carried out in direct response to India’s aggression and violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Pakistan maintains that its military response was necessary to defend its territorial integrity and protect its citizens, and that any attempt to link its actions to religiously sensitive sites is a deliberate attempt by India to distort facts and mislead the international community.
