Army denies air defence gun deployment at Golden Temple during Op Sindoor

The Indian Army on Tuesday clarified that no air defence (AD) guns or resources were deployed at the Golden Temple premises during Operation Sindoor, countering earlier media reports and a statement by the Army's own Director General of Air Defence.
'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),' the Army said in a statement.
Lt Gen D'Cunha's earlier remarks
The clarification came a day after Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha told ANI in an interview that air defence systems were deployed to protect the Golden Temple during Operation Sindoor.
'The Golden Temple hierarchy realised there was possibly a threat when it was explained to them. They allowed us to deploy guns… the lights were switched off so that we could clearly visualise the drones as they were coming in,' D'Cunha said in the interview.
His remarks drew immediate denials from the Golden Temple authorities and Sikh religious leadership.
Golden Temple authorities reject Army's claim
Giani Raghbir Singh, Head Granthi of Golden Temple, stated he was abroad during Operation Sindoor and was never contacted by any Army official. He added that if any member of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) was involved, the committee would investigate and take action.
Giani Amarjeet Singh, the additional head priest, also denied D'Cunha's claim. He clarified that the temple lights were switched off in line with blackout instructions issued by the Amritsar district administration — not due to any military deployment.
The SGPC, the apex Sikh religious body, has also denied granting any permission for Army deployment within the complex.
Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor, the code name for coordinated missile strikes launched on terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), was conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.
In retaliation, Pakistan resorted to heavy firing and shelling across the border areas along the Line of Control (LoC). Border districts in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan witnessed blackouts as the tensions escalated between the countries.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Hans India

an hour ago

• Hans India

Modi focuses on serving people

Hyderabad: Union Minister and State BJP chief G Kishan Reddy has emphasized that Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes public representatives should be accessible to people and work to address their issues. He was speaking at the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalpa Sabha,' which celebrated 11 years of the Modi government and the first year of Malkajgiri MP Etala Rajender's term. He highlighted the significant developments achieved under Modi's leadership. Reddy pointed out that the BJP had been in power for 11 years, delivering transparent governance. He contrasted this with the corruption scandals that plagued the previous Congress-led UPA regime, noting the absence of such scandals during Modi's tenure, which showcases the administration's integrity. The Union Minister recounted how Modi's leadership had strengthened India's response to terrorism, citing the surgical strikes as a significant shift in policy. "For Telangana, substantial funds have been allocated for infrastructure projects, including the construction of national highways and the modernization of railway stations," he said, highlighting the progress made under Modi compared to that in the previous Congress government. Kishan Reddy pointed out that Telangana had struggled with debt and corruption, particularly under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi party, which had failed to serve its citizens effectively. He expressed his confidence that BJP would win the next Legislative Assembly elections in the state. BJP MP and OBC Morcha National president Dr K. Laxman outlined how the Congress had consistently let down Backward Classes (BCs) from the time of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi, pointing out the flaws in the caste survey conducted by the Telangana government, which he argued deprived BCs of their due rights. Eatala Rajender said that the exhibition organized to mark the occasion showcased the achievements from Shyama Prasad Mukherjee to Modi. Recalling his interaction with the Prime Minister earlier in his role as the State Finance Minister regarding the rollout of the GST, he stated, "Modi focuses on serving the people rather than simply seeking power." He highlighted Modi's demonstration of the country's strength through 'Operation Sindoor'. In contrast, he pointed out that the Congress party was mired in scandals, with some of their own ministers facing jail time due to mismanagement. He noted that the state of Telangana was born out of sacrifices, but Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had disrespected its people. Modi's leadership exemplified how a country could thrive, with India excelling in digital transactions. "While some create sensationalism with words, it is actions that matter, which reflects Modi's approach. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee sacrificed his life for our unity, and Modi has fulfilled his vision."

Time of India

an hour ago

• Time of India

Trade deal hits hurdle over US demand of low duties on agricultural , genetically modified food

NEW DELHI: The proposed trade deal with the US is has run into rough weather with Indian authorities resisting the insistence of their counterparts to allow lower-duty import of American agricultural products such as maize and soybean, fearing adverse impact on farmers and health concerns related to genetically modified food. Sources acknowledged that the talks have hit a hurdle. In the absence of a limited deal ahead of the July 9 deadline, domestic industry will have to brace for a 26% levy, especially with a view within the govt that what the Trump administration is offering in the form of a 10% baseline tariff, applicable to all countries, is not good enough. At the start of the negotiations, the govt was hoping to get zero duty access for several products of India's interests, including textiles, leather goods, pharmaceuticals as well as some engineering goods and auto parts. American negotiators, who are keen that the deal be finalised, have indicated to their Indian counterparts that the Trump administration cannot go down to zero tariffs immediately. In any case, India has sought immunity from future tariff actions once a deal is in place. Unhappiness in India over US President Donald Trump's claim - since rejected by PM Narendra Modi - of having brokered the pause in Operation Sindoor, has also not helped in creating a conducive atmosphere for resolution of trade-related issues.

Hindustan Times

an hour ago

• Hindustan Times

Army jawan arrested in Amritsar for leaking info to Pakistan's ISI: Punjab Polic

Following the arrest of two men in Punjab's Amritsar on charges of espionage, police authorities said on Sunday that one of the accused, a serving Army sepoy, was allegedly in contact with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). A serving Army jawan in Amritsar was held for allegedly leaking sensitive info to Pakistan's ISI.(Representational Image/pexel) Amritsar Rural Police Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh told ANI, "We received information that Gurpreet Gopi, a sepoy in the Indian Army, had ISI contacts and had been in touch with them. He had been conducting suspicious monetary transactions with his friend, Sahil Masih from Dhariwal village." SSP Singh added that Gurpreet has been booked under Sections 359 of the Official Secrets Act and Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and is being interrogated. "After gathering information, we learned that Gurpreet has been posted in Jammu. After detaining him, we found plenty of incriminating data. Following a detailed investigation, we registered an FIR and arrested him. We have informed the security and intelligence agencies, and a joint interrogation is underway," SSP Singh said. Read More: Pakistan condemns US strike on Iran day after nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize The two men, identified as Gurpreet Singh aka Gopy Foji and Sahil Masih aka Shali, were apprehended on Sunday on suspicion of espionage activities linked to Pakistan's ISI. The Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) posted on X, "Amritsar Rural Police apprehended two persons suspected of espionage activities linked to #Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The arrested accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh @ Gopy Foji & Sahil Masih @ Shali." Preliminary investigations revealed that Gurpreet Singh was in direct contact with the ISI operative and was suspected of sharing sensitive and confidential information via pen drives. "Preliminary investigation reveals that Gurpreet Singh was in direct contact with operatives of the Pakistan ISI and is suspected of sharing sensitive and confidential information via pen drives. The key ISI handler involved in the case has been identified as Rana Javed. Two mobile phones reportedly used to communicate with ISI operatives has been seized," the post further read. More details are awaited. (ANI)