No Handshake, No Sweets: Low-Key Beating Retreat Ceremony Resumes At Attari

After 12 days, the beating retreat ceremony resumed on Tuesday at the joint check post of the Punjab Frontier, Attari in Amritsar.

The retreat ceremony was held for media personnel, whereas the general public was not allowed to attend the ceremony.

During the flag-lowering ceremony, there was no handshake exercise between the Border Security Force troops and Pakistani Rangers, while international gates on both sides remained shut. Also, there will be no exchange of sweets or gifts on any occasion.

In the present circumstances, this programme of the Border Security Force has been once again opened to the public, so that through this unique display of patriotism, the bond between the security forces and the public can be strengthened and awareness towards border security can be increased, a source said.

The BSF on May 8 had stopped public entry for this event in view of "public safety". The decision was taken a day after India destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military offensive against the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

The Indian flag is lowered every evening by BSF troops in synchronisation with Pakistan Rangers at the joint check posts located at Attari (Amritsar district) opposite Pakistan's Wagah, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district across Ganda Singh Wala and at Sadki in Fazilka district.