Pakistani authorities on Wednesday denied entry to 12 Hindu pilgrims who were part of a Sikh Jatha that had travelled to the country to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
According to reports, the Hindu pilgrims were part of the Sikh Jatha of 1,932 devotees, who had gone to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border on Tuesday.
While the Hindu pilgrims were initially allowed to cross, they were refused entry by the immigration department on the Pakistani side.
Speaking to a news channel, one of the devotees alleged that they were turned away because of their Hindu identity.
“We were part of the Sikh Jatha and wanted to go for the pilgrimage, but we were sent back just because we are Hindus. The Pakistani official told us, ‘What will you do in this Jatha?’” one of the pilgrims was quoted as saying by India Today.
While the ties between India and Pakistan have historically been strained, they are particularly tense after the May conflict.
India launched Operation Sindoor to destroy terror camps in Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Pakistan, in response, attacked Indian civilians and military targets, prompting an even stronger response from India.
The conflict also saw India suspending the Indus Water Treaty and closing its side of the Attari-Wagah border. While the treaty remains in abeyance, the border was reopened for essential crossings.