Pak Sikh pilgrims arrive to join Gurta Gaddi celebrations

Attari, Oct 25 (UNI) A group of 400 Pakistani Sikh pilgrims today arrived here by Wagah road checkpost to participate in the tricentenary celebrations of the Guruta Gaddi Diwas at Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib, Nanded on October 30.

The Sikh Jathha, led by Pakistan Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee president Bishan Singh, crossed into the Indian side, raising religious Sikh slogans like 'Bole so Nihal' and 'Raj Karega Khalsa'.

They were welcomed by SGPC General Secretary Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, SGPC Secretary Harbeant Singh, Punjab Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike, MLA Dalbir Singh Virk, IG border zone Rajpal Meena and other senior administrative and police officials.

Nankana Sahib Sikh Yatri Jathha chief Swarna Singh has also come with the group.

The Pakistani Sikh pilgrims are carrying 10 old birs of the holy Guru Granth Sahib with them. They will stay in the Golden Temple today and leave for Nanded by train tomorrow.

The pilgrims thanked Indian authorities and SGPC leaders for ''allowing them the sacred opportunity'' to join the Gurta Gaddi celebrations at Nanded in Maharashtra.

Due to some technical reasons the bus carrying the ''Golden Palki of the Granth Sahib'' from Nankana, could not reach here.

Meanwhile, SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkad has reached Nanded to join in the celebrations and welcomed the Air India decision to run special flights on the occasion.

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