KARTARPUR, Pakistan — As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following a deadly militant attack, Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting a sacred shrine in Pakistan this week called for peace and reconciliation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Pilgrims gathered at the Kartarpur Darbar Sahib shrine, urging both countries to resolve their disputes peacefully. The shrine, located just across the border in Pakistan’s Punjab province, is one of the holiest sites in Sikhism and draws thousands of visitors annually through the Kartarpur Corridor, a rare visa-free crossing opened in 2019.
“We should solve problems together; nothing is more important than humanity,” said Lovejeet Singh, a pilgrim from India’s Punjab state. “Small fights and disputes happen in every home. India and Pakistan are our homes. Let’s solve these problems together.”
Another pilgrim, Manjit Singh, echoed the sentiment: “The tension should be completely removed, and the brotherhood between India and Pakistan should flourish.”
The appeals for calm come amid heightened hostilities after a militant attack on April 22 in Indian-administered Kashmir killed at least 26 people, including tourists. Indian authorities have alleged that two of the three assailants were Pakistani nationals, a claim Islamabad denies.
In the wake of the violence, both countries have taken retaliatory steps, including the suspension of diplomatic engagements and trade measures. The situation threatens to further strain already fragile ties, with Kashmir remaining a persistent flashpoint in bilateral relations.
Despite political tensions, the Kartarpur Corridor has remained a symbol of religious and cultural connection, allowing Indian Sikhs access to the historic shrine without the need for visas — a rare example of cooperation between the two rivals.
Pilgrims at the site this week expressed hope that dialogue and mutual respect could prevail. “These are small issues,” said Lovejeet Singh. “Let’s sit together and find solutions.”
