Latest news with #PakistaniRangers
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Independence Day 2025: Special Beating Retreat Ceremony At Attari-Wagah Border Draws Huge Crowd
As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day today on August 15, 2025, the patriotic fervor will extend beyond Delhi to the Attari-Wagah border, where a special Beating Retreat Ceremony is set to take place. The event, held every evening, takes on added significance on Independence Day, attracting thousands of spectators to witness the vibrant display of discipline, pride, and tradition. The celebrations began in Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the National Flag and addressed the nation from the Red Fort. Meanwhile, in Punjab, preparations are in full swing for the evening's ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, just 30 km from Amritsar. Though the lowering of the flag ceremony is a daily ritual between India and Pakistan, the Independence Day edition is especially charged with emotion. The event lasts for about an hour and begins with an energetic parade by the soldiers of the Border Security Force (BSF) from India and the Pakistani Rangers. In the evening, the iron gates between the two nations are opened, the national flags are lowered simultaneously, folded with respect, and handed over to the respective forces. In a symbolic gesture of peace, soldiers from both sides shake hands before the gates close. The ceremony concludes with colourful lights illuminating the border, as the crowd erupts in cheers and applause. This ceremonial tradition, which started in 1959 as a mark of cooperation between India and Pakistan, has been a major tourist attraction since then. On Independence Day, the number of visitors are more, with people arriving from across the country to experience the Patriotic atmosphere. For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony is broadcasted live on television channels and streamed on official YouTube platforms, allowing audiences across India and abroad to join in the celebration virtually. With the combination of military precision, national pride, and the spirit of unity, the Independence Day Beating Retreat at Attari-Wagah stands as a powerful reminder of India's journey over the past 79 years and the unwavering spirit of its people.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan took 48 hours to admit intrusion, refused to take back body initially: BSF
New Delhi : In a departure from the usual exchange between the two border forces, it took the Pakistani Rangers more than 48 hours to acknowledge a protest note by their Indian counterpart, the Border Security Force, reportedly after waiting for a nod from their senior commanders in Lahore, BSF officials aware of the matter said. The officials said the Pakistani Rangers neither acknowledged the protest note over the intrusion bid — a usual exercise — nor took back the body initially.(Representative image/AP) They said the Rangers did not acknowledge a protest note by the BSF after the latter shot a Pakistani intruder in the Kathua region of Jammu on Monday. The intruder, BSF officials said, who was shot in his legs, succumbed to his injuries the same day. The officials said the Rangers, however, neither acknowledged the protest note over the intrusion bid — a usual exercise — nor took back the body of the intruder after a flag meeting between the two forces on Monday. They added that the Rangers again refused to acknowledge the note during a flag meeting on Tuesday. 'They finally acknowledged the protest note on Wednesday afternoon but did not immediately take body the back. This is unusual because in the past the sector commander or company commander would receive the protest note. But this time, their personnel said they would first get clearance from their headquarters in Lahore,' the officer added. Monday's intrusion bid was the first reported in the Jammu region since India launched military strikes on targets within Pakistan as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during Operation Sindoor.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- New Indian Express
Pakistani intruder shot dead in Kathua; terror hideout busted in ops
SRINAGAR: BSF personnel shot dead a Pakistani intruder along the International Border (IB) in the Kathua district on Monday. A BSF spokesperson said the intruder was noticed in the early evening between Chandwan and Kothey border outposts in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua. 'A Pakistani national was observed crossing the International Border and approaching aggressively towards the border fence in Kathua,' he said. The spokesman said the BSF men warned the intruder, but he paid no heed. 'Sensing a threat, the BSF men fired on the intruder's legs. The injured person was captured and evacuated to the nearest Hospital, where he succumbed,' he said. The BSF is lodging a protest with the Pakistani Rangers over the incident. The intruder's identity and motive are being probed. Meanwhile, a joint anti-terror operation in the forest area of Dul Kishtwar to flush out two local Hizb militants, Riyaz Ahmad and Mudassar Hazari, continued for the second day. Sources said during the operation, security forces busted a terrorist hideout in a natural cave in the forest area. Further, a larger ongoing search operation in the Akhal forest area of Kulgam entered its 11th day. Forces suspect the presence of terrorists there.
Indian Express
03-08-2025
- Indian Express
Punjab man, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan, sentenced to one-month imprisonment
Amritpal Singh, a 23-year-old farmer from Punjab's Ferozepur district, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan, has been sentenced to one-month imprisonment by a court in the neighbouring nation, his father Jugraj Singh said on Saturday. Jugraj Singh urged the Centre and the Punjab government to take appropriate steps to bring back his son to India. Amritpal, a resident of Khaire ke Uttar village in the Ferozepur district, went missing along the India-Pakistan border on June 21 after he went to tend his farmland located across the barbed fencing near the border outpost (BOP) Rana under the Border Security Force (BSF) supervision. He failed to return before the gate was scheduled to close around 5 pm. Amritpal, who is married and has a daughter, owns around 8.5 acres of farmland located beyond the border fencing on the Indian side. The BSF personnel later found human footprints heading towards the Pakistani side, raising the possibility of an unintentional border crossing. On June 27, the Pakistani Rangers confirmed to the BSF authorities that Amritpal was in the custody of local Pakistani police. Amritpal's father Jugraj on Saturday said he came to know that a case was registered against his son in Pakistan, and on July 28, he was sentenced to a one-month imprisonment. He said a Pakistan-based advocate sent him the copy of a court order as per which Amritpal has been charged under the Foreigner Act 1946. A fine of Rs 50,000 has also been imposed on him. In case of default, he will have to undergo additional 15 days of sentence. The court also directed the authorities concerned to make arrangements for his deportation after completion of his sentence. Amritpal spoke to his family in which he said that he was fine and currently lodged in a jail. His father urged the government to take appropriate steps so that his son be deported from Pakistan. Amritpal left on his motorcycle that afternoon but did not return in the evening. The BSF even reopened the frisking gate before dusk in search of him, but he could not be found. During summer months, farmers are allowed to access the land between the barbed-wire fence and the international border under strict BSF monitoring between 8 am and 5 pm.
Hindustan Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
SAD MP Harsimrat writes to Jaishankar, seeks safe return of Punjab farmer who crossed over to Pak
Chandigarh, Shiromani Akali Dal MP and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal Monday urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to ensure safe return of a 23-year-old Punjab farmer, who inadvertently crossed over to Pakistan on June 21. SAD MP Harsimrat writes to Jaishankar, seeks safe return of Punjab farmer who crossed over to Pak Amritpal Singh, a resident of Khaire ke Uttar village in Ferozepur district, went missing along the India-Pakistan border on June 21. He had gone to tend his farmland located across the barbed fencing near Border Outpost Rana under Border Security Force supervision. Amritpal failed to return before the scheduled closure of the gate at 5 pm. The BSF held three to four flag meetings with Pakistani Rangers, who initially denied any sightings of an unknown person. However, on June 27, the Pakistani Rangers confirmed to the BSF authorities that Amritpal was in the custody of local police. In a post on X, Harsimrat said she has urged the external affairs minister to initiate diplomatic communication with relevant authorities in Pakistan to ensure the safe release of Amritpal. "I have apprised the external affairs minister that this incident occurred because Amritpal was suffering from mental stress & emotional disturbance. Have also urged the minister to offer consular and legal access to Amritpal and his family during this difficult period," the Bathinda MP said. Harsimrat also shared a letter which she wrote to the Union minister. "On 21st June, Amritpal, in a mentally distressed state, went to plough his agricultural land, which is situated on the Indian side but extends beyond the border fence, an area that often leads to confusion among local farmers. "Due to his psychological condition, he accidentally crossed the international border and entered Pakistani territory. He was apprehended by Pakistani authorities and, as per the latest information, is being held in a jail under the custody of Punjab Police, Pakistan," she wrote in the letter. She said Amritpal's family and the local community are deeply distressed by his detention, especially considering his mental health challenges. "His inadvertent crossing was not an act of intent but a result of his vulnerable mental state, as corroborated by his family and local officials. International protocols and past precedents emphasize the need for compassionate handling and diplomatic resolution in such inadvertent border crossing cases, particularly when the individual involved is mentally unwell," she wrote in the communication. Amritpal's father Jugraj Singh on Saturday urged the External Affairs Ministry to ensure his safe return to India at the earliest. Amritpal is married and has a three-month-old daughter. He owns around 8.5 acres of farmland located beyond the border fencing on the Indian side. He had left on his bike that afternoon but did not return in the evening on June 21. The BSF even reopened the frisking gate before dusk in search of him, but he could not be found, his father said. During summer months, farmers are allowed to access land between the barbed-wire fence and the international border under strict BSF monitoring between 8 am and 5 pm. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
