Latest news with #Seshadri
India.com
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Did India Deploy AD Guns Inside Golden Temple? Army Says…
New Delhi: It could have turned out catastrophic if India had not been ready. A barrage of Pakistani missiles and drones hurtled through the skies. They had a well-defined destination – military bases, civilian areas and Amritsar's sacred Golden Temple. But fortunately, they all measurably failed to hit their targets, thanks to India's full-scale air defence preparedness. Protecting civilian targets was top priority of the Indian defence forces. But defending a place of religious important, the Golden Temple, needed something more. Some media reports are circulating with respect to the deployment of AD Guns in the Golden Temple. However, the Army clarified that no AD guns or any other AD resources were deployed within the premises of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. #WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Indian Army shows a demo of how Indian Air Defence systems, including the upgraded L-70 Air Defence Guns, saved the Golden Temple in Amritsar and cities of Punjab from Pakistani missile and drone attacks. — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025 The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15 Infantry Division, Major General Kartik C Seshadri, revealed how he and his soldiers did a job well done. 'We had already anticipated that they would target religious places as the Pakistan Army did not have any legitimate targets. Given geographical location, the Golden Temple was the most vulnerable target,' he said. Accordingly, the Army pressed into action 'holistic air defence umbrella' around the holy site that included modern air defence systems such as L-70 guns and AKASH missile batteries. Meant for shaking India, the drone and missile assault came to retaliate India's Operation Sindoor, which was a precision strike launched on the intervening night of May 6-7. Indian controlled and well-coordinated attacks targeted terrorist infrastructures at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. #WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Indian Army shows a demo of how Indian Air Defence systems, including AKASH missile system, saved the Golden Temple in Amritsar and cities of Punjab from Pakistani missile and drone attacks. — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025 These attacks were India's loud and clear response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians who were both Indian and foreign tourists. Talking about India's military offensive, Major General Seshadri said, 'Consequent to Pakistan Army-sponsored dastardly terrorist attack on innocent tourists, the nation's anger under able leadership took the form of Operation Sindoor, under which befitting punitive strikes were carried out on exclusive terror targets.' He said nine major terror hubs were hit – seven of which were destroyed by the Army. 'Of these, the Lashkar-e-Taiba headquarters at Muridke, near Lahore, and the Jaish-e-Mohammed headquarters at Bahawalpur were struck with absolute precision,' he said. He clarified India's position. 'We issued a statement – clarifying that we intentionally did not target any Pakistani military or civilian infrastructure,' he added. #WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Indian Army shows a demo of how Indian Air Defence systems, including the upgraded L-70 Air Defence Guns, saved the Golden Temple in Amritsar and cities of Punjab from Pakistani missile and drone attacks. — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025 Pakistan responded as expected, but not with soldiers. It responded with drones and missiles, aiming to terrorise Indian civilians and hit religious places. 'We were fully prepared and thwarted their plan. Our alert air defence gunners shot down all drones and missiles aimed at the Golden Temple. We did not allow even a scratch,' said Major General Seshadri. This was one of the first instances when the religious site came under direct threat from coordinated aerial attacks. Defence officials did not mince words. One of them said that the Pakistan Army lacks the courage or capability to face Indian forces directly. 'Hence, it uses terrorism as a national policy and resorts to unmanned aerial weapons launched from its own soil,' the officer said. #WATCH | Amritsar, Punjab: Major General Kartik C Seshadri, GOC, 15 Infantry Division says "Indian Army is a professional, righteous and responsible force which in spite of grave provocations, has always responded in a calibrated and measured manner. We target only terrorists in… — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025 He continued, 'Drones and long-range missiles were launched. Indian military installations, civilian population centers, including innocent women and children, were also not spared. They even targeted our faith. Pakistan touched a new low.' He emphasized that Golden Temple witnessed a 'surfeit of drone and missile attacks, all thwarted by our Army air defence gunners'. #WATCH | Amrisar, Punjab: Soldiers of the Panther Division of Indian Army say "...We are representatives of the will enter and kill the enemy from within, now we don't fear anyone. There is revenge in the mind, there is passion in the heart and pride in the eyes. To… — ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2025 As the skies lit up with defence operations, locals near the border stood with the Army. A farmer from a Punjab border village, Jasbir Singh said, 'Our Army is the pride of our nation. They protected us and the Golden Temple. We stood with them in the fields. They kept their promise.' Meanwhile, soldiers from the Panther Division expressed fierce determination. 'We are representatives of the panther. We will enter and kill the enemy from within. We do not fear anyone. There is revenge in the mind, there is passion in the heart and pride in the eyes. To uproot terrorism, India has launched Operation Sindoor,' said an officer. The message is crystal clear: India's faith will not fall to missiles.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
What is air defence grid used by the Indian Army to protect Golden Temple from Pakistan's attack?
A senior Indian Army officer on Monday confirmed that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the intervening night of May 7-8 after Indian forces took down terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with precision strikes. Pakistan's failed strike, which included drones and long-range missiles, was intercepted by the Indian military's elaborate air defence grid. What is it? According to the Army, the Golden Temple was one of the primary targets in what officials are calling a "massive air assault" launched by Pakistan in the early hours of May 8. Also Read | India's indigenous Akashteer system played 'the most important' role during Operation Sindoor: Army official 'Knowing that the Pakistan Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated it would target Indian military installations and civilian areas, including religious places. Of these, the Golden Temple appeared to be the most prominent (target). We also received credible intelligence that it was a prime target, which we had brainstormed earlier,' Major General Kartik C Seshadri, who is commanding an infantry division in Amritsar, told ANI. 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 the AKASH missile system, L-70 Air Defence Guns, saved the Golden Temple in Amritsar and cities of Punjab from Pakistan's missile and drone attacks. Also Read | What sets Operation Sindoor apart from past strikes on Pak-backed terrorism? Army veterans answer 'In the hours of darkness, Pakistan carried out a massive air assault with drones and long-range missiles. We were fully prepared since we had anticipated this. Our 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 our holy Golden Temple,' Seshadri added. As per Bharat Electronics Ltd, the Akash air defence missile system is a medium range, surface-to-air missile system which provides area air defence against multifarious air threats to mobile, semi-mobile and static vulnerable forces and areas. The system has cutting-edge features with cross-country mobility. Also Read | 'Even if Pakistan relocates general HQ...': Top Army officer reveals India's prowess after 'Operation Sindoor' The real-time multi-sensor data processing and threat evaluation enable simultaneous engagement of multiple targets from any direction. The entire system is flexible, upscalable and can be operated in group and autonomous modes. It employs command guidance and relies on phased array guidance radar to guide the missile till intercept, it added. L-70 air defence guns were also deployed by the Indian Army around the Golden Temple. It includes an integrated Fire Control System with Optronic Sight Consisting of Eye Safe LRF, DLTV and TI, autonomous ballistic computation with round-to-round correction for muzzle velocity and TILT with TC/FC radars. On May 7, Islamabad launched aerial attacks using drones and missiles at multiple towns and cities in India, including Awantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Pathankot, Phalodi, Uttarlai, Nal and Bhuj. India's AD systems, combining the assets of the IAF, army, and navy, performed with exceptional synergy, fended off all the attacks. India's AD grid operated with multiple weapons across four levels, depending on the distance of the incoming target. The weapons that formed part of the grid included the S-400 system, medium-range surface-to-air missile system (Barak 8), the Pechora air defence system, Spyder quick-reaction missiles, and upgraded L-70 and Zu-23-2B guns. The attack by Pakistan on India came in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory offensive on nine targeted terror camps deep inside Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. Operation Sindoor struck key terrorist hubs like Muridke (Lashkar-e-Taiba HQ) and Bahawalpur (Jaish-e-Mohammed HQ) with surgical precision and killed more than 100 terrorists in the strikes.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan army targetted the Golden Temple
New Delhi: Pakistan targeted the Golden Temple in Amritsar in response to Operation Sindoor destroying terror outfits deep inside its territory, said Major General Kartik C Seshadri, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 15th Infantry Division. Speaking to ANI, he said, '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, Golden Temple appeared to be the most prominent.' Pakistan unleashed a barrage of drones and long-range missiles in the wee hours of May 8. However, the Indian Army, alert and prepared, intercepted and destroyed each one of those. 'We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to give a holistic air defence umbrella cover to Golden Temple,' Major General Seshadri added. On Monday, the Indian Army displayed a demonstration of how the air defence systems comprising AKASH missile system and L-70 Air Defence Guns, successfully neutralised incoming Pakistani threats, safeguarding the Golden Temple and other regions of Punjab. The defence ministry earlier confirmed that multiple Indian cities and military bases, including Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and Bhuj, were targeted in the overnight assault. Explosions were also reported across Kashmir. On the intervening night of May 6–7, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terror outfits in Pakistan's Muridke and Bahawalpur. The strike was in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan tried to target Golden Temple, failed: Army official
The Pakistan Army attempted to target Golden Temple in Amritsar with long-range missiles and drones on the night of May 7-8 after Indian forces took down terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor, but the enemy failed to punch through India's resilient air defence (AD) shield, a senior army officer said on Monday. It was a prime target for the Pakistan Army, said Major General Kartik C Seshadri, who's commanding an infantry division in Amritsar. 'Knowing that the Pakistan Army does not have any legitimate targets, we anticipated it will target Indian military installations and civilian areas including religious places. Of these, Golden Temple appeared to be the most prominent (target). We also received credible intelligence that it was a prime target, which we had brainstormed earlier,' he told news agency ANI. Operation Sindoor, which began in the early hours of May 7, was New Delhi's response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. Modern AD assets were swiftly mobilised to provide a robust AD umbrella to the Sikh shrine, he said. 'In the hours of darkness, Pakistan carried out a massive air assault with drones and long-range missiles. We were fully prepared since we had anticipated this. Our 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 our holy Golden Temple,' Seshadri added. Operation Sindoor triggered four days of strikes and counterstrikes with drones, missiles and long-range weapons before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Between the launch of the operation and the ceasefire, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, killing at least 100 terrorists, and the Indian Air Force struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. India's multi-layered AD grid was impregnable, officials said. It punctured multiple waves of Pakistani attacks on Indian military installations, airbases and civilian areas by guaranteeing prompt detection and targeting of the incoming threats. India's AD systems, combining the assets of the IAF, army, and navy, performed with exceptional synergy, the information and broadcasting ministry said last week. India's AD grid operated with multiple weapons across four levels, depending on the distance of the incoming target. The weapons that formed part of the grid included the S-400 system, medium-range surface to air missile system (Barak 8), the Pechora air defence system, Spyder quick-reaction missiles, and upgraded L-70 and Zu-23-2B guns. The nine terror camps hit by the Indian forces with a mix of missiles and smart munitions included Markaz Subhanallah in Bahawalpur, Markaz Taiba near Muridke, Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Sawai Nala and Syed Na Bilal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, Barnala in Bhimber, and Sarjal. The IAF struck targets in Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Chunian, Pasrur, Sialkot, Skardu, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Malir Cantt in Karachi.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak targeted Golden Temple, our air defence shot down drones, missiles: Army official
Amritsar: Pakistan targeted the Golden Temple with drones and missiles in response to India's strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor during the recent hostilities, Major General Kartik C Seshadri, GOC, 15 Infantry Division, told news agency ANI on Monday. At the same time, Lt General Sumer Ivan D'Cunha, Army's in-charge of air defence , told ANI that the Golden Temple management allowed the Indian Army to deploy air defence guns within the shrine to counter potential drone and missile threats from Pakistan. "It was very nice that the head granthi of the Golden Temple allowed us to deploy our guns. It is possibly for the first time in many years that they switched off the Golden Temple lights so that we could see the drones coming," Lt Gen D'Cunha said. Earlier, Major Gen Seshadri said that knowing that the Pakistan Army does not have any legitimate targets, they anticipated that they would target Indian military installations, civilian targets, including religious places. "Of these, the Golden Temple, a veritable symbol of the nation's syncretic faith, appeared to be the most prominent. We mobilised additional modern air defence assets to give a holistic air defence umbrella cover to Golden Temple," he said. "On May 8, 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," Major Gen Seshadri added. The statements drew reactions from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body responsible for managing Sikh religious affairs. SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan dismissed the possibility of any threat to the Golden Temple. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, however, did not issue any statement. Mannan said, "Whether it's the Indian or Pakistani Army, these are political agendas at play. No Army commander could conceive of attacking the Golden Temple." Mannan emphasised the spiritual significance of the Golden Temple, calling it a place of peace, where millions come seeking solace. "This sacred place is where countless lives are spiritually transformed. Guru Ram Das blesses devotees with peace and tranquility," Mannan stated. Mannan said there was no fear among the sangat (devotees). "Even today, the sangat comes with full faith. No one should spread confusion or doubt," he said. However, a few hours later, Mannan clarified that he had only expressed his personal views and not reacted specifically to the claim that the Golden Temple was a target of the Pakistan Army. "It is my belief, and my heart is convinced, that no person of any faith could ever think of causing harm to the sacred shrine of Guru Ram Das, which stands for the message of Sarbat Da Bhala (welfare of all)," he said. (with inputs from ANI) MSID:: 121268429 413 |
