Pakistan allows beating retreat ceremony at Wagah after blast

LAHORE: Hours after cancelling the beating retreat ceremony at Wagah following a deadly suicide attack, Pakistan today allowed general public to view the popular flag-lowering ceremony at the Indo-Pak border.

"We have decided in a meeting this afternoon to allow the general public to come and watch the flag-lowering ceremony," Punjab Rangers spokesman Maj Shahid Abbas said.

"Since we have cleared off the blast site after collecting the forensic evidence, there was no point in closing the Parade Avenue for the public," he told PTI.

Earlier, India had said that at the request of Pakistan Rangers, there will be no beating retreat ceremony at Wagah Border for three days from today. Officials said the changed plan to allow the ceremony had been communicated to the BSF by the Rangers.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up today by adding another tier over a kilometre from the main entrance to the Parade Avenue. The parking area has also been designated far away from the main entrance due to security concerns.

"We have beefed up the security for the people's sake," Maj Abbas said.

At least 61 people were killed and nearly 200 injured when a suicide attacker detonated a powerful bomb at Wagah in Pakistan yesterday, minutes after the popular flag-lowering ceremony at the main Indo-Pak land border crossing.