Beating Retreat Ceremony Resumes at Attari Border in a Scaled-Down Manner
The iconic Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah and Hussainiwala borders has resumed as of Tuesday evening, but in a significantly scaled-down format. This long-standing tradition, which symbolizes Indo-Pak border diplomacy and has been held since 1959, was suspended following the Pahalgam terror attack. With its resumption, the ceremony has undergone notable changes aimed at conveying a strong diplomatic message.
According to BSF Inspector General Atul Fulzele, the ceremony will now begin at 6 PM, and the gates between India and Pakistan will remain closed throughout. Unlike in previous years, the customary handshake between the BSF jawans and the Pakistani Rangers will no longer take place. This marks a significant departure from the protocol established over six decades, where formal greetings followed the daily lowering of flags.
This decision reflects India’s firm stance in the wake of the Pahalgam incident and is part of a broader message of vigilance along the border. Additionally, top defense officials have been actively assessing the border situation. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi conducted a comprehensive review of military readiness along the India-Pakistan border, particularly focusing on the Rajasthan and Kutch sectors. Under Operation Sindoor, they evaluated air defense deployments and visited strategic military locations, including Suratgarh, Naliya, Longewala, and positions held by the 12 Konark Corps.
In related developments, the Indian Army responded to media reports from Pakistan that claimed the Indo-Pak ceasefire agreement was valid only until May 18. The Indian Army firmly clarified that the ceasefire understanding reached during the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) interaction is open-ended and has no expiration date.
On May 15, India also announced its intent to initiate confidence-building measures along the border to ease tensions and reduce alert levels. This announcement followed Pakistan’s Foreign Minister confirming the extension of the ceasefire agreement.
Overall, these developments signal a more cautious yet open diplomatic approach by India, balancing tradition with national security concerns.