Presence of terror camps in district that houses Kartarpur gurdwara, reveals BSF sources

Written By Manish Shukla | Updated: Nov 04, 2019, 11:50 AM IST

India and Pakistan had on October 24 signed the agreement connecting Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan.

Intelligence agencies have spotted terrorist training activities in the border district of Narowal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the same district where Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is situated.

The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in Gurdaspur district of Indian Punjab with the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara located in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab.

Sources in the intelligence agencies said terrorist training camps are situated at Muridke, Shakargarh, and Narowal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where "a substantial number of men and women are reportedly camping and undergoing training".

The Kartarpur corridor is scheduled to be inaugurated on November 9. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the corridor from the Indian side on November 9 while Pakistan will also open the corridor on the same day.

Earlier on November 3, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took to Twitter and shared a number of photos of the completed project saying, "Kartarpur is ready to welcome Sikh pilgrims."

Imran Khan said that the Kartarpur corridor is ready while congratulating his government for completing the work in record time for Guru Nanak Ji's 550th birthday celebrations.

Kartarpur corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district in Punjab. 

India and Pakistan had on October 24 signed the agreement connecting Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab's Gurdaspur with Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan.

With the signing of this agreement, a formal framework was laid down for operationalisation of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor.

The first list of pilgrims who will be visiting the Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor has been finalised.

India shared the list of 575 pilgrims, which includes several prominent leaders including former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Union Ministers Hardeep Puri, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and other MPs and MLAs of Punjab.

According to the agreement signed by the ministry of home affairs, Indian persons of all faith can visit the place and the travel will be visa-free. However, the agreement will remain in force for 5 years and it can be extended by mutual consent.

The Kartarpur corridor agreement can be terminated by the government of either side by giving one month's notice. The operation of the corridor can be suspended if a persistent violation of the agreement happens and all differences will be resolved through diplomatic channels.