Sikh pilgrims visit the shrine of their spiritual leader Guru Nanak Dev, at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.
| Photo Credit: AP

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan on Friday (May 9, 2025) for waging a disinformation campaign, asserting that India’s “steadfast unity” posed a significant challenge to Pakistan. Mr. Misri also accused Pakistani forces of targeting gurdwaras both in India and within their own territory in a bid to sow communal discord in India. He announced that, due to the current tense situation along the International Border (IB), the Kartarpur Corridor — connecting Indian pilgrims to the second most important Sikh shrine in Pakistan — has been suspended.

Follow Operation Sindoor updates on May 9

“As we saw in the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan is again trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create discord. Again, we are not surprised. India’s steadfast unity is in itself a challenge to Pakistan,” said Mr. Misri. He made the remark in response to Pakistani reports that an Indian drone was shot down in Nankana Sahib district, which hosts the Gurudwara Janam Asthan in the district capital Nankana Sahib in Pakistan.

Mr. Misri accused Pakistan of targeting several places of worship of Sikhs, both in Poonch in India and in Pakistan’s Punjab province saying, “This is nothing but a desperate attempt by Pakistan to disown its acts of aggression. It will not succeed. The gurdwara in Poonch in particular was attacked by Pakistan. Some local members of the Sikh community, including the ragi (kirtan singer) of the gurdwara, lost their lives in this incident as I shared yesterday.”

He stated, “I think you are all aware of the situation along the entire India-Pakistan border, and the areas near the Line of Control. In view of the existing security scenario, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended till further directions. We will update you as and when there is a change in the situation,” said Mr. Misri.

The Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is revered as the final resting place of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak who is known to have spent the last 18 years of his life at this site. The Kartarpur Corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak in India with the Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib. It was inaugurated by former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 9, 2019. Mr. Misri said Pakistan’s attempts to target gurdwaras were an “effort to deceive and mislead” the world.

“We have seen the Pakistani side targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design. These includes gurdwaras, convents (in Poonch) and temples. This is a new low, even for Pakistan,” the Foreign Secretary said.

Consultations continue

India has continued consultations with its key partners, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar exchanging notes with his counterparts from global capitals. He spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday. “The Minister deeply appreciated the U.S.’s commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism. He also underlined the targeted measures that India had taken in connection with Operation Sindoor. The Minister also underlined that India would firmly counter any attempts at escalation,” said Mr. Misri.

He stated that Mr. Jaishankar discussed the prevailing situation with the U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his Norwegian counterpart Espen Barth Eide on Friday. Officials here maintained that despite several engagements with stakeholders, including the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Iran, India has not sought mediation through them as India continues to maintain direct diplomatic contact with Pakistan.