Army Denies Deployment of Air Defence Guns at Golden Temple During Operation Sindoor
Recent media reports have suggested that air defense guns were deployed inside the Golden Temple premises during Operation Sindoor. However, the Indian Army has firmly denied these claims. In an official statement issued on Tuesday, the Army clarified that no air defense guns or related equipment were present within the sacred complex of Sri Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar.
The controversy arose from speculations that the shrine’s management had allowed the installation of air defense weapons to protect against potential aerial threats from Pakistan. In response to these allegations, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and senior religious leaders associated with the Golden Temple categorically rejected the reports.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that there had been no communication from the Army about any such deployment. He emphasized that the only request made by the administration during the recent tensions between India and Pakistan was to turn off the outer lights of the temple complex during a citywide blackout. This directive was respectfully followed while still upholding the sanctity of religious practices.
Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, who was abroad during the operation, confirmed that no such deployment took place and that he had not been informed of any proposals regarding it. Similarly, Additional Head Priest Giani Amarjeet Singh dismissed the claims as baseless and “shockingly untrue.”
The SGPC leadership reiterated that religious rituals and daily practices, including Langar and Akhand Path Sahib, continued according to the established ‘maryada’ (code of conduct), with no compromise on the sanctity of the shrine.
Both SGPC and Army authorities stressed the importance of responsible reporting, especially concerning a central religious site like the Golden Temple. SGPC President Dhami further urged the government to issue a clear clarification to dispel misinformation and preserve public trust.
