Pakistan strongly rejects New Delhi’s accusation that it attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Indian Punjab, in the recent military escalation between the two countries.
The Indian government claims Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple in Amritsar on the night of 6th and 7th May through drones and missiles.
In response to a media query regarding the claim made by a senior Indian army officer, the Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We categorically reject the allegations that Pakistan attempted to target the Golden Temple, the most revered place in the Sikh faith.”
The statement from the Foreign Office of Pakistan reiterates Pakistan’s commitment towards protecting the respecting the sanctity of holy sites. “We hold all places of worship in the highest esteem and cannot think of targeting a holy site like the Golden Temple,” the statement said.
The FO statement recalled that it was India that targeted the religious sites in Pakistan on the night of 6th and 7th May.
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“The allegations levelled by the Indian side cannot shift attention from this unacceptable act.”
The Foreign Office added that Pakistan is the custodian of key Sikh pilgrim sites on its soil. Pakistan annually welcomes Sikh pilgrims through the Kartarpur Corridor.
“In that backdrop, any claim concerning Pakistan’s attempt to target the Golden Temple is baseless and incorrect,” the spokesperson concluded.
Video footage of drones and missiles crossing over Amritsar and being intercepted circulated on social media.
India’s attack on May 6th-7th targeting several mosques in different cities of Pakistan.
More than 50 Pakistani lives were lost, including security personnel. In response, Pakistan armed forces launched a large-scale retaliatory military action, named “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” and targeted several Indian military strikes across multiple regions in retaliation for Indian strikes that killed many civilians besides army personnel.