Pakistan recently welcomed a large group of Sikh pilgrims from India, marking the first major border crossing since intense clashes in May had sealed the land route between the nuclear-armed neighbors. This significant opening allows over 2,100 pilgrims to attend a 10-day festival celebrating the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, as confirmed by Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi.
Despite this gesture, tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi remain high following the worst fighting since 1999, which occurred in May and resulted in more than 70 casualties from missile, drone, and artillery exchanges. The Wagah-Attari border, which serves as the sole active land crossing between the two countries, had been closed to general traffic in the aftermath of that violence.
Pilgrims were observed queuing on the Indian side of the border, some carrying their luggage, under the watchful eyes of the Border Security Force. Upon entering Pakistan at the Wagah-Attari crossing, they were warmly received by Pakistani officials who presented them with flowers and showered them with rose petals.
While media reports suggested around 1,700 pilgrims were expected to cross, official confirmation from authorities regarding the exact number was pending. The visiting pilgrims are scheduled to gather at Nankana Sahib on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, the birthplace of Guru Nanak located approximately 80 kilometers west of Lahore. Their itinerary also includes visits to other revered Sikh sites in Pakistan, such as Kartarpur, where Guru Nanak is buried.
Pakistan’s High Commission emphasized that its decision aligns with ongoing efforts to foster inter-religious and inter-cultural harmony and understanding. Reports from Saturday, November 1, 2025, indicated that the government would permit specific groups to travel to Pakistan. However, the Kartarpur Corridor, a visa-free route established in 2019 for Sikhs to visit the temple without crossing the main border, continues to remain closed since the May conflict.
The four-day clashes in May erupted after New Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting an attack on tourists in Pahalgham on April 22, allegations that Pakistan has denied.