Pahalgam terror attack: India scales down retreat ceremonies at border points
The border gates of India and Pakistan remained shut during the beating retreat ceremony at the Attari in Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur and Sadki in Fazilka on Thursday evening after the BSF 'scaled down' the event in light of the Pahalgam terror attack.
At Attari, the Indian parade commander also did not move forward to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart during the ceremony, which took place with closed gates.
The Attari-Wagah border retreat ceremony is a daily ritual performed between India and Pakistan. Conducted by BSF and Pakistan Rangers since 1959, it involves synchronised marches, high kicks and flag-lowering before sunset, attracting up to 25,000 to 50,000 spectators daily. Historically, the ceremony was toned down in 2010 for less hostility, included a handshake, and featured traditions like exchanging sweets during Eid and Diwali.
The BSF said in a statement on X said that a 'calibrated decision has been taken to scale down the ceremonial display during the Retreat Ceremony' at these borders. 'The key changes include: Suspension of the symbolic handshake of the Indian Guard Commander with the counterpart Guard Commander. Gates to remain closed during the ceremony. This step reflects India's serious concern over cross-border hostilities and reaffirms that peace and provocation cannot coexist,' the statement said.
At Sadki in Fazilka, people on both sides often head to the fence and briefly interact with citizens from the other side, sometimes taking photographs. From Thursday, though, people attending the retreat ceremony had to return to the stands immediately after the event, police in Fazilka said.
On Thursday, many visitors came to watch the retreat ceremony at the Joint Check Post (JCP) Attari border, however, the crowd gathered didn't give any impression of tension between the two countries. Even as women were seen dancing to the tunes of Hindi songs ahead of the flag lowering ceremony, the footfall was less compared to other days.
'Our tourist guide had told us that there may not be any retreat ceremony Thursday. But we are happy that we at least could see a little,' said Abhishek Rana from Rajasthan.
Reema Malhotra, who had come from Delhi, said, 'I was surprised to see the dance at the retreat ceremony. I got to know that it is a routine affair. But it should be avoided in the current situation.' According to sources in Pakistan, several Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders who want to return to India have been asked to wait. Sources said that immigration officials have no clarity yet as to whether OCI cardholders would be allowed to enter India.
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