Amritsar (National Times): The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, a vital lifeline for Sikh pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, has been closed until further notice following India’s military operation, Operation Sindoor, conducted in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The closure, announced as a precautionary step amid escalating security tensions, has disrupted the movement of devotees and cast a shadow over the symbol of cross-border religious harmony.
On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces executed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist camps in areas such as Muzaffarabad, Bahawalpur, and Kotli, which India alleges were hubs for orchestrating attacks, including the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. Pakistan has denounced the strikes, labeling them an “act of aggression,” and reported civilian casualties, including a child, while claiming retaliatory shelling along the Line of Control (LoC). India has rejected Pakistan’s claims of downing Indian aircraft or causing significant damage.
The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, opened in 2019 to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, allows visa-free access for Indian pilgrims to the revered gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal district. Authorities cited the deteriorating security situation, including cross-border exchanges and heightened military alertness, as the reason for the suspension. Posts on X reflect public concern over the closure, with many linking it directly to the fallout of Operation Sindoor.
The Indian government has not provided a reopening timeline, stating that the corridor’s operations will resume only when the security environment stabilizes. The Ministry of Home Affairs has directed border states, including Punjab, to conduct mock drills on May 7 to bolster emergency preparedness, with districts like Amritsar and Gurdaspur on high alert.
Sikh community leaders expressed dismay over the closure, emphasizing the corridor’s role as a bridge of peace. “This is a setback for devotees who see Kartarpur as a sacred link to our history,” said a local gurdwara committee member. Meanwhile, international calls for de-escalation from nations like the United States and China underscore the global concern over the rising India-Pakistan conflict.
As the situation remains volatile, the closure of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor highlights the broader repercussions of the ongoing military standoff, leaving pilgrims and peace advocates hopeful for a resolution to restore access to this cherished religious site.
