Pakistan has rejected as “baseless” claims by a senior Indian Army officer that Islamabad had attempted to target the Golden Temple, with drones and missiles in Amritsar city of India’s Punjab state, earlier this month.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, responding to remarks made by a senior Indian Army officer, said on Tuesday, “We categorically reject the allegations that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple, the most revered place in the Sikh faith.”
Statement by the Spokesperson in Response to Media Queries Regarding the Remarks Made by a Senior Indian Army Officer. pic.twitter.com/w3LvAfIhic
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) May 20, 2025
“We hold all places of worship in the highest esteem and cannot think of targeting a holy site like the Golden Temple,” the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson further said India had attacked multiple religious sites in Pakistan on the night of May 6 and 7.
Pakistan also highlighted its role in facilitating Sikh religious pilgrimage, pointing to its visa-free access initiative for international pilgrims visiting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
“Pakistan is the proud custodian of many holy sites of the Sikh faith,” the statement read. “Every year, it welcomes thousands of Sikh pilgrims from across the world. Pakistan also provides visa-free access to the Gurdwara Sahib Kartarpur through the Kartarpur Corridor.”
“In that backdrop, any claim concerning Pakistan’s attempt to target the Golden Temple is absolutely baseless and incorrect,” the spokesperson reiterated.
India-Pakistan standoff
The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in the IIOJK resort town of Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite providing no public evidence.
In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other’s embassies.
Pakistan strongly rejected the accusation, calling it unsubstantiated, but took reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These included halting trade with India, closing Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, and other countersteps.
Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
In a swift military response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets, widely regarded as a key asset of the Indian Air Force. Over the following two days, India launched waves of Israeli-made drones, which were also neutralised by Pakistan’s military.
The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.
By Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
But despite the military ceasefire the war of narratives has waged on.
While Pakistan publicly credited US President Donald Trump — along with China and Gulf states — for playing a vital role in defusing tensions, India downplayed foreign involvement.
Indian officials have insisted the truce was the result of direct bilateral talks.
Trump, has however, reiterated his stance twice following the initial announcement.
