Following the suspicious conduct of four Sikhs in Pakistan during their recent visit, the government there has issued clear-cut instructions to its intelligence wing and the police to monitor the movement of pilgrims in future.

It was learnt that the pilgrims had hived off the jatha in Pakistan and joined it later at the railway station. Sources in Pakistan told The Indian Express, "The Punjab province government has directed the police and the district administration to keep a close watch on the visiting Sikhs after the intelligence agencies found activities of four devotees suspicious."

In a letter, the Interior Ministry Additional Secretary informed the Provincial Police Officer and the CID that during the visit, four Sikh devotees were trying to collect evidence about military establishments. And keeping in view the conditions in Pakistan and the possible terror attacks, the government has taken serious note of the activities," said an official with the Punjab province police department.

A senior Pakistan Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) member confirmed that the visits of Sikhs were under the scanner now, and there were reports about their alleged disappearance during the visit. "But we do not know how this will impact the future visits of Sikhs," he added.

A Pakistan daily had reported that one of the members of the Sikh jatha slipped away from Gurdwara Dera Sahib, Lahore, and reappeared only at the time of departure at Wagah railway station. "Another one, suspected to be a member of the Indian intelligence wing, was found monitoring the conversations between dignitaries and the media and was also taking notes of different speeches," it read.

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