Pakistan opens border for Indian Sikh pilgrims for first time since military conflict
Nearly 2,000 Sikhs enter through Wagah crossing to participate in annual commemoration of birth of their religion’s founder
More than 2,000 Sikh pilgrims from India arrived in eastern Pakistan on Tuesday for an annual commemoration of their faith’s founder.
It is the first people-to-people contact since a brief military conflict between the two countries in May.
The Wagah border crossing in Punjab, which was closed for months due to tensions from the conflict, was reopened by Pakistani authorities to facilitate the pilgrimage, government official Nasir Mushtaq confirmed.
The pilgrims travelled to Lahore before continuing to Nankana Sahib city, home to the shrine of Guru Nanak.
"Granting visas to Sikh pilgrims and reopening the border demonstrates Pakistan’s respect for religious minorities and commitment to fostering cultural ties, despite ongoing political disputes," Mr Mushtaq said.
Sikhs are a tiny minority in Muslim-majority Pakistan.
Pakistan and India have a history of bitter relations.
Tensions escalated in April after Delhi accused Islamabad of supporting militants who launched an attack that killed 26 tourists in the restive Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Pakistan denied the claim and called for an international investigation.
In the months that followed, diplomatic ties were downgraded, border crossings closed and the two sides traded military strikes.
The fighting between the nuclear-armed rivals ended after US president Donald Trump said he had brokered a ceasefire to prevent a wider conflict.
However, the two sides have yet to fully restore diplomatic ties, trade or the movement of people.
In August, Pakistan said it was creating a dedicated missile force in the aftermath of the brief military conflict with India.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the creation of the Army Rocket Force on the eve of the Independence Day.
"It will be equipped with modern technology," the prime minister said of the new force.
He added that it would prove to be a milestone in strengthening the combat capabilities of the army.
Dozens of people died in artillery shelling, as well as drone and missile attacks, during the conflict.