Tensions Rise, Kartarpur Corridor Sealed Temporarily
The Kartarpur Corridor at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district was temporarily shut down on Wednesday, halting the movement of pilgrims to Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. The closure came in the wake of recent Indian military operations targeting alleged militant camps across the border, raising security concerns along the sensitive frontier.
Authorities announced the suspension early in the day, just as hundreds of pilgrims were preparing for the religious journey. According to Batala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sohail Qasim Mir, nearly 500 pilgrims had registered for the visit. Out of these, around 100 had already reached the corridor when the closure order was issued.
Officials on-site informed the pilgrims about the sudden suspension and requested them to return. No untoward incident was reported, and the crowd dispersed peacefully. However, many expressed disappointment over the unexpected development, especially as the visit holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Sikhism.
The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, serves as a visa-free route allowing Indian pilgrims to visit the revered Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, where Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism, spent his final years. It has since become a symbol of religious harmony and cross-border cooperation, even during periods of diplomatic strain.
As of now, authorities have not announced a date for reopening the corridor. Officials have stated that the decision will depend on an assessment of the prevailing security situation.
This unexpected suspension highlights the fragile nature of cross-border ties and the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on cultural and religious exchanges. Until stability is restored, the future of pilgrim visits through the Kartarpur Corridor remains uncertain.