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India has scaled down the daily Retreat Ceremony at the Attari border. This follows the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people. Most of the victims were tourists.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has taken strict steps. It has stopped the ceremonial handshake between Indian and Pakistani officers. It has also decided to keep the gates shut during the flag-lowering ceremony. A BSF official said, “Peace and provocation cannot go hand in hand. This action shows India’s strong protest.”
Quieter ceremony draws fewer people
The ceremony at Attari is famous. It usually attracts large crowds. People come from across the country and abroad. They cheer loudly as soldiers perform the parade.
But on Thursday, the mood was different. The crowd was thin. The event took place without the usual energy and celebration. Security was tight, and the BSF maintained a serious tone.
The viewing gallery at Attari can seat up to 25,000 people. It remained closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened in late 2021, but visitor numbers have stayed low.
India has also closed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari. This post handles trade and travel between the two countries. The government has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty. It has asked Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism.
In the past, India took similar steps. It cancelled the exchange of sweets at the border after the Uri terror attack in 2016. It repeated the move in 2019 after more ceasefire violations.
India’s message is clear. It wants peace. But it will not tolerate violence from across the border.
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