Pakistan turns back Hindu devotees from Sikh Jatha en route to Nankana Sahib for Guru Nanak Dev Ji Parkash Purab
PTC News Desk: Pakistani authorities on Wednesday turned back 12 Hindu pilgrims who had travelled as part of a Sikh jatha to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
The group of 1,932 devotees had entered Pakistan through the Attari–Wagah border a day earlier for the annual pilgrimage. However, the 12 Hindu pilgrims were stopped at immigration counters on the Pakistani side and denied entry, despite having been initially cleared to cross.
The Hindus, including families from Delhi and Lucknow, were reportedly left “humiliated” after officials declared that only individuals identified as Sikhs would be allowed to board the bus to the holy site in Nankana Sahib. “They told us, ‘You are Hindu, you cannot go with the Sikh jatha,’” one of the pilgrims said.
Officials in Amritsar confirmed the incident, stating that all 12 individuals had returned to India. This marks the first jatha to visit Pakistan since Operation Sindoor.
Sources said the passports of the Hindu pilgrims carried immigration stamps showing they had initially been granted entry, which was later revoked by Pakistani authorities.
- With inputs from agencies
