Amid an unprecedented security cover, nearly 10,000 Sikhs converged at Guru Nanak’s birth place, Nankana Sahib in Punjab of Pakistan, to celebrate the 540th birth anniversary of Sikhs’ first Guru. According to reports, besides 2500 Sikhs from India, devotees from the US, Canada and European countries arriving at Nankana Sahib near Lahore in huge numbers to pay obeisance at the gurdwara.

American Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (ASGPC) Chief Dr Pritpal Singh, a resident of California (US), told The Indian Express over phone from Pakistan that Sikhs celebrated gurpurab with religious fervour. A regular visitor to the shrine on the occasion, Pritpal said Pakistani security forces have made elaborate arrangements for the safety of Sikh jatha members, who have also been asked to stay vigilant.

“There is a three-tier-security system and intelligence men in civil clothes are deputed,” said Dr Pritpal adding that security was never so tight in the past for Sikh devotees. The security has been beefed up in the wake of terrorist attacks becoming a daily affair in Pakistan following the Army’s onslaught against Taliban in Waziristan.

“There is no fear here and Sikhs are celebrating the festival without any hassle. There exists a foolproof security cover and Pakistan Sikh Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) has also made elaborate arrangements for our comfortable stay,” said Jagir Singh, head of SGPC’s jatha.

Pakistan Aukaf Board Chairman Sayed Hashmi and members of National Assembly (MNAs) Dr Harsh and Dr Darshan Lal came to visit the gurdwara on the occasion.