Wagah beating retreat: Pakistan’s U-turn leaves BSF fuming

AMRITSAR: Pak Rangers at the Attari-Wagah border on Monday caught their Indian counterparts off-guard as they decided to go ahead with traditional beating the retreat ritual with full gusto.

Only a day before they had met officials of the Border Security Force (BSF) and both sides had decided to avoid the ceremony given the terror strike not far from the most famous India-Pakistan border.

While India did not allow any tourists in their galleries on Monday and maintained a solemn demeanour, the Pakistanis had a full gallery with a large crowd cheering them on as they stomped their boots. BSF personnel felt betrayed by this sudden change in plans.

"Whatever they have done is certainly not good. It is the Pak Rangers who had called for a flag meeting and requested us not to hold the beating the retreat ceremony after the suicide attack on their side," said BSF IG (Frontier), Ashok Kumar. Kumar added that he was surprised by the Pak Rangers' move as they did not reveal their plans on Monday at the commandant-level meeting.

They had only asked for simple coordinated drill during the flag-lowering ceremony. It was not expected to have the same pomp as shown by the Rangers.

The two other joint border posts besides Attari — Hussainiwala (Ferozepur) and Sadqi (Fazilka) — too witnessed the event on Monday evening but sans the usual excitement.