The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee has distanced itself from the statement of Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, that guns were deployed on the premises of Darbar Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, as Pakistan, in response to Operation Sindoor, aimed to attack the Sikh holy shrine in the center of Amritsar. The Army later clarified that no guns were deployed. The Central Sikh Museum has preserved the story of an Army officer who is applauded for ‘defying Delhi orders’ to save Amritsar during the 1965 war. The story passed down through generations in Punjab is that, alarmed by the scale of the attack by Pakistan, the Army leadership in Delhi ordered a retreat behind the Beas River — a move that would have left Amritsar and the Darbar Sahib at risk of being overrun. Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh defied the order. His leadership proved decisive. The Indian forces held their position, repelled the Pakistani assault, and safeguarded Punjab from deeper incursion. Though some attempted to question his insubordination after the war, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri firmly stood by Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh, recognising his judgment and valour. In 1966, the government honoured him with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. In 2016, then SGPC president Kirpal Singh Badungar, while announcing that his portrait would be installed at the Central Sikh Museum, said, “Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh, who was commandant of the Army unit, showed exemplary confidence during the war and played a key role in defeating Pakistani troops. It was due to him that Pakistan could not touch Amritsar. Otherwise, his seniors from Delhi had ordered him to step back to the Beas river — but he did not take these orders and stood his ground to fight Pakistan. Because he knew that stepping back would mean giving Amritsar to Pakistan. His bravery is a source of inspiration for youth. This is why we have decided to install his portrait at the Central Sikh Museum (Golden Temple) to pay tribute to him.” https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/lt-gen-harbaksh-singh-army-officer-place-central-sikh-museum-saving-amritsar-1965-war-10019110/