Golden Temple has witnessed many attacks, out of which majority occurred during mid-eighteenth century. During this time the Golden Temple was attacked numerous times by Afghan raiders.
The major attacks during mid 18th century were done by Massa Rangarh, Yakria Khan, Jahan Khan & invader Ahmed Shah Abdali.
The raiders caused severe damage to the temple complex which resulted in restoration of the temple in 1764.
Another major assault was Operation Blue Star in 1984 when the Indian Army was ordered by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to move inside the Golden Temple in order to remove pro-Khalistan militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from there. The militants had accumulated weapons inside the Gurudwara premises.
During Operation Blue Star a lot of casualities occurred in the ensuing gunfight between the militants and the army.
Operation Blue Star caused great damage to the Akal Takhat Sahib, and it also offended Sikh religious sentiments which ultimately led to Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards.
In 1986, repairs were performed on the Akal Takhat Sahib, which the Rajiv Gandhi government had undertaken without consultation with the Sikh community and these were later removed.
A new Akal Takhat Sahib was completed in 1999 by kar sewaks.
Large number of devotees visit the Golden Temple everyday to pay homage to the holy shrine
