Fourteen Indian pilgrims were denied entry into Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border as they attempted to travel for the celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism.
According to officials, the pilgrims were part of a larger group cleared by Indian authorities to visit Pakistan under the bilateral agreement for religious travel. However, Pakistani immigration officials reportedly refused entry to them, citing discrepancies in documentation and religious identity, as the individuals were Hindu and not Sikh.
The rest of the group, consisting mainly of Sikh devotees, was allowed to cross the border and proceed to Nankana Sahib and other historical gurdwaras for the 556th Prakash Parv (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak.
This incident comes as over 2,000 Indian pilgrims are expected to visit Pakistan for the annual event under the 1974 India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. The refusal has triggered strong reactions from the affected pilgrims and raised concerns among officials and religious bodies in India.
Authorities in India are seeking clarification from their Pakistani counterparts and are expected to raise the matter through diplomatic channels.
