SGPC Disputes Army Officer’s Claim of Missile Attack on Golden Temple; Political Reactions Emerge
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday expressed strong reservations over a statement by a senior Indian Army officer who claimed that Pakistan had targeted the Golden Temple in recent drone and missile attacks.
Major General Kartik C. Seshadri, General Officer Commanding of the 15 Infantry Division, made the remarks in a media interview, stating that the Indian Army had successfully intercepted threats aimed at the holy shrine. The comments came in the aftermath of Pakistan’s missile and drone offensive, reportedly launched following India’s strikes on nine terrorist camps across the border in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. A ceasefire between the two countries was declared on May 10 after three days of heightened tensions.
Responding to the Army officer’s claims, SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan said he found the version hard to believe. “No force could think of attacking the Golden Temple,” he said, referring to it as the sacred abode of Guru Ram Das. He added that there had been no dip in the number of devotees visiting the shrine and refrained from commenting on the perspective of security agencies.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal condemned Pakistan’s actions, stating that attempting to target a globally revered religious site reflects a "negative mindset." Amritsar MP Gurjit Singh Aujla also reacted, thanking the Indian Army for thwarting the attacks and maintaining a secure environment around the shrine. He mentioned that Sikh groups had staged protests on May 10 against Pakistan for allegedly targeting gurdwaras.
BJP leader Amit Malviya weighed in via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), calling the Army's confirmation of the alleged attacks “shocking and deeply disturbing.” He said the incident highlighted Pakistan's intent to "sow chaos and hurt the very soul of India."
The conflicting narratives around the incident continue to spark debate, with religious bodies, political leaders, and the military offering divergent interpretations of events that unfolded during the cross-border hostilities earlier this month.
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