Explainer: Key Border Crossings Between India and Pakistan

Following recent escalations in Kashmir, India has closed the Attari-Wagah crossing — the only active and legal land route between India and Pakistan. The move came a day after a deadly gun attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir killed at least 26 people. In response, both nations have announced sweeping retaliatory measures, including airspace closures, trade suspension, and visa cancellations.

India and Pakistan share a 3,323-kilometre-long border, but due to decades of conflict — particularly over the disputed region of Kashmir — most border points remain heavily restricted or entirely shut down. Here’s a look at some of the key border crossings between the two countries:

Wagah–Attari Crossing

• Location: Connects Lahore (Pakistan) with Amritsar (India)
• Status: Closed as of April 2025
• Significance:
  • The most well-known and frequently used land crossing.
  • Home to the iconic daily “lowering of the flags” ceremony, drawing large crowds on both sides.
  • Functioned as a road link, rail station, and goods transit point.
  • Was also part of the Afghan Transit Trade route.
  • Used daily by hundreds of citizens from both countries.
  • Previously operated the Samjhauta Express rail service between Delhi and Lahore (suspended since 2019).

Ganda Singh Wala–Hussainiwala Crossing

• Location: Connects Kasur (Pakistan) with Firozepur (India)
• Status: Non-operational
• Historical Use:
  • Was the principal crossing before Wagah took prominence.
  • Closed to regular movement since 1986.

Munabao–Khokhrapar Rail Link

• Location: Links Sindh (Pakistan) with Rajasthan (India)
• Use: Previously used as a rail route between Karachi and Jodhpur
• Status: Suspended since 2019 due to rising tensions.

Line of Control (LoC)

• Location: Divides the disputed region of Jammu & Kashmir
• Significance:
  • One of the most militarized borders in the world.
  • Witnesses frequent skirmishes and ceasefire violations.
  • While there are limited points for humanitarian exchanges, it’s not open for routine travel.

Sir Creek Estuary

• Location: A 96-kilometre disputed marshland between Gujarat (India) and Sindh (Pakistan)
• Status: Ongoing maritime boundary dispute with inconclusive talks over decades.
• Importance: Vital for fishing rights and potential oil and gas exploration.

Kartarpur Corridor

• Opened: November 9, 2019
• Purpose: Allows Sikh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur (Pakistan) without a visa.
• Route: Connects to Gurdwara Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur (India)
• Special Status: Remains open primarily for religious tourism, even during periods of high political tension.
• Historical Importance: Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, spent the final 18 years of his life in Kartarpur.

Current Situation

With the Wagah-Attari crossing now shut, land-based connectivity between India and Pakistan is completely severed, barring limited access through Kartarpur for religious purposes. The developments further underscore the fragility of relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, with diplomatic, economic, and people-to-people ties facing a new low.