Indian Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first major crossing since May conflict

AFP | Pakistan

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Pakistan yesterday welcomed jubilant Sikh pilgrims from India, in the first major crossing since deadly clashes in May closed the land border between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

More than 2,100 pilgrims were granted visas to attend a 10-day festival marking 556 years since the birth of Guru Nanak, founder of the Sikh faith, Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi said last week.

Islamabad and New Delhi engaged in the worst fighting since 1999 in May, with more than 70 people killed.

The Wagah-Attari border -- the only active land crossing between the two countries -- was closed to general traffic following the violence.

AFP journalists saw hundreds of pilgrims streaming their way through the border with their luggage in tow.

They were received by Pakistani officials, who presented them with flowers and showered them with rose petals. Many wore garlands and chanted joyfully after crossing.

“We have nothing to do with the war,” pilgrim Parvinder Kaur told AFP.

“We often watched videos of the shrines and dreamed of coming here, and now, we are finally here for the first time.”

Another said the welcome was overwhelming. “It doesn’t feel like we are in another country. It feels like we are among our own people,” said Valeti Singh.