Pakistan rejected the claims “baseless” by an Indian army senior officer that Islamabad had tried to target the Golden Temple, with drones and missiles in the state of punjab in the city of Amritsar, earlier this month.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, responding to the remarks made by an Indian army senior officer, said on Tuesday: “We categorically reject the allegations that Pakistan has tried to target the Golden Temple, the most venerated place in the Sikh faith.”
Declaration of the spokesperson in response to media requests concerning the remarks made by a higher officer of the Indian army. pic.twitter.com/w3lvafihic
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@Foreignoffice) May 20, 2025
“We hold all places of worship in the highest esteem and cannot think of targeting a sacred site like the Golden Temple,” added the spokesperson.
The spokesman also said that India had attacked several religious sites in Pakistan in the night of May 6 and 7.
Pakistan also underlined its role in facilitation of the Sikh religious pilgrimage, stressing its access initiative without visa for international pilgrims visiting the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur.
“Pakistan is the proud guardian of many saints of the Sikh faith,” said the declaration. “Each year, it welcomes thousands of sikhs from around the world. Pakistan also offers access without visa to the Gurdwara Sahib Kartarpur through the corridor of Kartarpur. ”
“In this context, any complaint concerning Pakistan’s attempt to target the Golden Temple is absolutely foundation and incorrect,” reiterated the spokesperson.
India-Pakistan Standoff
The last escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in the pahalgam seaside resort of the Iiojk killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite no public evidence.
In response, India has undertaken a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including the suspension of the 65-year-old Industry Water Treaty (IWT), canceling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the border crossing of Wagah-Attari, ordering the closure of the Pakistani High Commissioner in New Delhi and reducing diplomatic staff in the embassies of Pakistan.
Pakistan firmly rejected the accusation, calling it not supported, but has taken reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These include the cessation of trade with India, the closure of the Pakistani airspace to Indian planes and other counters.
Tensions also degenerated in the early hours of May 7, when the missile strikes reached six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Cashmire (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and the elderly.
In a rapid military response, the armed forces of Pakistan have shot down Indian war planes, including three Rafale planes, widely considered as a key asset of the Indian Air Force. Over the next two days, India launched waves of Israeli manufacturing drones, which were also neutralized by the Pakistani army.
The confrontation was again intensified in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani air bases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military facilities, including missile storage sites, air bases and other strategic targets.
On Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a cease-fire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. A few minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Ishaq Dar and the Indian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
But despite the military ceasefire, the war of the stories led.
While Pakistan has publicly credited US President Donald Trump – with China and the Gulf States – for playing an essential role in defusing tensions, India has minimized foreign participation.
Indian officials insisted that the truce was the result of direct bilateral talks.
Trump, however, reiterated his position twice after the initial announcement.
