Pakistan rejects Golden Temple attack claim by India, affirms respect for religious sites

Pakistan has strongly rejected India’s claims that it tried to attack the Golden Temple with drones and missiles on the night of May 7-8.

In response to a statement made by an Indian army officer, a spokesperson from Pakistan’s Foreign Office said, “We categorically reject the allegations that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple, the most revered place in the Sikh faith.”

The spokesperson stressed that Pakistan respects all religious sites, saying, “We hold all places of worship in the highest esteem and cannot think of targeting a holy site like the Golden Temple.”

The spokesperson also pointed out that it was India that launched attacks on various places of worship inside Pakistan on the night of May 6-7. “The allegations levelled by the Indian side cannot shift attention from this unacceptable act,” they added.

Pakistan also reminded that it is the proud custodian of many important Sikh religious sites and welcomes thousands of Sikh pilgrims every year, including through the visa-free Kartarpur Corridor. “In that backdrop, any claim concerning Pakistan’s attempt to target the Golden Temple is absolutely baseless and incorrect,” the spokesperson concluded.

On May 6-7, India’s attacks hit several mosques in Pakistan, causing the deaths of over 50 Pakistani people, including security personnel. In response, Pakistan launched a large military operation, called “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting Indian military positions in retaliation for the strikes, which also led to civilian casualties.

These attacks, which Pakistan officials called “precise and proportionate,” were carried out in response to India’s ongoing aggression across the Line of Control (LoC) and within Pakistan’s territory. This led to a response from global powers and eventually a ceasefire agreement.

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