For the first time since the recent military clashes between Pakistan and India earlier this year, dozens of Sikh pilgrims have crossed into Pakistan through the Wagah-Attari border to participate in the 556th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism.
According to a report by the French news agency AFP, its correspondents witnessed Sikh pilgrims entering Pakistan through the border crossing that had remained closed since May, following the short but intense confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Pakistani officials welcomed the pilgrims with garlands and flower petals as they arrived to take part in the annual festivities held in Nankana Sahib — the birthplace of Guru Nanak and one of the holiest sites in Sikhism.
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Relations between the two South Asian rivals deteriorated sharply in April after an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers — a claim Islamabad denied. Tensions escalated further when India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and carried out strikes inside Pakistan on May 7. Pakistan retaliated the next day with cross-border attacks targeting several locations in India.
The conflict prompted international concern, with U.S. President Donald Trump announcing shortly afterward that both sides had agreed to cease hostilities following diplomatic engagement.
Despite the ceasefire, relations between Islamabad and New Delhi remain strained, reflected even in the suspension of bilateral sporting events and cultural exchanges.
The annual birth anniversary celebrations at Nankana Sahib continue to draw Sikh devotees from around the world. Pakistani authorities expect thousands of pilgrims this year, including those from India, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
