New Delhi [India]: In a revelation that underscores the depth of India’s civil-military synergy during Operation Sindoor, Lt Gen Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, confirmed that air defence guns were deployed within the Golden Temple complex for the first time in history to counter potential drone and missile threats from Pakistan.
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Lt Gen D’Cunha described how Pakistan’s strategy aimed to incite chaos by targeting civilian and religious landmarks after failing to engage legitimate military objectives.
“We visualised that they would target our civil population and religious places of worship,” said Lt Gen D’Cunha. “It was very nice that the Head Granthi of the Golden Temple allowed us to deploy our guns… They switched off the Golden Temple lights so that we could see the drone coming.”
This strategic move allowed the Army to detect and engage hostile drones more effectively, marking a significant moment in both India’s defence preparedness and inter-community trust.
Simulation, Surveillance, and Synergy: Key to Drone Defence
India’s response was not reactive—it was meticulously planned and rehearsed. From April 26–28, just days before the attack, the Army conducted a simulation exercise anticipating a saturation drone attack.
Lt Gen D’Cunha explained how Pakistan first sent swarms of cheap, low-altitude drones to saturate radar screens and reveal Indian air defence positions, followed by Kamikaze drones designed to target radar emitters. However, India had countermeasures in place:
- Radars were intermittently activated only when drones entered engagement range.
- Surveillance was backed by real-time satellite intelligence and the Indian Air Force’s Netra AEW&C aircraft, which jammed Pakistani radars.
- Electronic warfare assets disrupted enemy command-and-control systems, neutralizing coordination among drones.
Operation Sindoor: A Showcase of Modern Indian Defence Doctrine
Operation Sindoor, executed in retaliation for Pakistan-backed militant activities, was a watershed moment in India’s security doctrine. The operation aligned with what military analysts describe as the “Shishupala Doctrine”—a policy of restrained patience until provocation crosses a threshold, followed by swift, decisive retaliation.
“We realised that to take on an effective air defence system, Army and Air Force integration was vital,” said Lt Gen D’Cunha. “The training we undertook helped us anticipate Pakistan’s strategy. And we were ready.”
National Unity and Veterans’ Patriotism Shine
Lt Gen D’Cunha lauded the overwhelming support from retired servicemen and local populations in border states like Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
“They were prepared to come out of retirement and asked: ‘What can we do to help?’ That tells you everything about our national character,” he remarked.
From precision-guided munitions to community cooperation, Operation Sindoor was not just a display of hardware superiority—it was a testament to India’s collective resolve to defend its sovereignty.