After attack, Wagah border ceremony may go ‘live’

AMRITSAR: The popular beating retreat ceremony held daily on the Indo-Pak border may be telecast live in the future.

After a suicide bomber killed more than 60 people at Wagah in Pakistan on Sunday, the BSF is contemplating introducing several security measures such as reducing the number of visitors at Attari. BSF inspector general Ashok Kumar said various suggestions, including the live telecast of the synchronised drill and online registration of visitors, were being considered.

"It can also be telecast online since the majority of people these days are tech savvy," Kumar said. He refused to give a deadline for implementing the new plans.

The suicide bomb blast has added to worries about the safety of the ceremony held by the BSF at Attari, Hussaniwala and Sadqi border posts in Punjab.

Kumar said the BSF had already put in place a heightened security system and some more measures were being contemplated. Expressing concern over the growing rush of tourists at Attari, he said if the number of visitors increased, the existing system would weaken and possibilities of human error would increase.

Unauthorized parking in the area is a major concern for the border force. "Even on the Pakistan side, the blast occurred near the parking slot," he said. "We don't have a regulated parking provision. It's an unauthorised parking space where anybody can come and it's a threat to the security."

Kumar said the BSF had the provision for parking around 60 vehicles in two VIP slots, but more than 1,000 other vehicles needed to be regulated by some authorized contractor on a daily basis. "We've taken up this issue with the district administration and they've promised to take some steps," he said. Around 15,000 people visit Attari daily to watch the hugely popular beating retreat ceremony.

The BSF has also suggested an upgrade in facilities at Attari, including the setting up of a fire station. He said similar measures were being taken at Hussaniwali and Sadqi posts also.