Indian bus leaves for holy Sikh site in Pakistan

A Pakistani border guard (L) watches Pakistani Tourism Manger Anwar Sajjad (R) greet Indian officials upon their arrival at the Wagah Border post yesterday. The Nankana Sahib bus connects northern Amritsar city, seat of Sikhism's holiest shrine the Golden Temple, with the Pakistani town of Nankana Sahib -- birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the Sikh religion -- near western Lahore city. PHOTO: AFP

The bus carrying Indian officials crossed over to Pakistan through Wagah border point -- the only road crossing between the two neighbours who have fought three wars since 1947.

The bus connects northern Amritsar city, seat of Sikhism's holiest shrine the Golden Temple, with the Pakistani town of Nankana Sahib -- birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the Sikh religion -- near western Lahore city.

Most people in the northern Indian state of Punjab are Sikhs.

The service is expected to start up soon on a daily basis, said Indian transport official A.R. Talwar without specifying when.

"The government has great hope for an increase in the flow of passengers on the route," he said.