Sikh pilgrims enter Pakistan, first big crossing since conflict

2,100 Indians get visas to attend birth anniversary of Guru Nanak

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Indian pilgrims upon their arrival in Pakistan after crossing the India-Pakistan Wagah border in Wagah, yesterday.

(AFP)

Pakistan yesterday welcomed dozens of Sikh pilgrims from India, AFP journalists saw, in the first major crossing since deadly clashes in May closed the land border between the neighbours.

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

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