Beating Retreat Ceremony At Attari-Wagah Border To Resume After 12 Days; Know About Key Changes
New Delhi: Following a 12-day break, the Beating Retreat ceremony will recommence on Tuesday, May 20, at three border locations in Punjab, including the Attari-Wagah border. The Beating Retreat ceremony was halted due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Indian Armed Forces' launch of Operation Sindoor, aimed at dismantling the terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror incident.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has chosen to restart the flag-lowering ceremony for the public at three locations in Punjab near the Pakistan border, according to PTI. The gathering will take place for public observation at Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki.
Every evening, BSF troops lower the Indian flag in coordination with Pakistan Rangers at joint checkpoints situated at Attari (Amritsar district) facing Pakistan's Wagah, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district across Ganda Singh Wala, and at Sadki in Fazilka district. Nonetheless, the ceremony, taking place today, will be shortened as BSF troops will refrain from shaking hands with Pakistan Rangers, and the gates will remain closed during the flag lowering, as previously announced, the report stated.
Since May 8, BSF troops have been lowering the flag daily, but public entry was only suspended. On May 8, the BSF halted public access to these three locations for the event, citing "public safety."
The choice was made a day after the Indian Armed Forces initiated 'Operation Sindoor' following the heinous Pahalgam terror strike. In a decisive reaction to the Pahalgam terror assault, which resulted in 26 fatalities, the Indian Armed Forces targeted and obliterated terror camps at 9 sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
More than 100 terrorists died in the attack. Subsequently, Pakistan antagonized India with drone and missile strikes on both civilians and military installations, receiving a strong response in return. In response to Pakistan's provocations, the Indian Air Forces "evaded and disrupted" the nation's Chinese-supplied air defense system, causing significant damage to the military and air bases, ranging from Nur Khan to Sargodha.
Following three days of significant destruction, Islamabad contacted India to propose a ceasefire, which India accepted, according to the government. Yet, PM Narendra Modi, in his initial speech to the nation following Operation Sindoor, emphasized that it was more than merely an operation; it represented a doctrinal shift and a sustained policy against terrorism that Delhi plans to uphold.
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