Punjab Retreat ceremony for public along Pak border to resume from May 21

     Amritsar, May 20 (PTI) The Border Security Force (BSF) has said the public flag-lowering retreat ceremony at three locations in Punjab along the Pakistan frontier will begin on Wednesday, about two weeks after it was stopped following Operation Sindoor by India in response to the Pahalgam attack.
     On Tuesday, the retreat ceremony was held for media personnel, while the general public was not allowed.
     The Jalandhar headquartered Punjab frontier of the BSF said the ceremony time will be 6 pm.
     Sources termed the retreat ceremony held at the Attari border post a symbolic display of the country's border security, in which the flag lowering drill has special significance.
     The public naturally gets excited to watch this traditional display.
     This ceremony increases the feeling of gratitude and respect towards the armed forces among the countrymen and it instils pride in the country and new energy for serving the nation, sources said.
     Since the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, changes have been made in this drill as a part of security measures.
     Earlier, the gates on the border used to be opened and the parade used to be in the form of a joint drill.
     Now, the gates will remain closed during the parade and there will be no handshakes, nor will there be exchange of sweets or gifts on any occasion, sources said.
     Following Operation Sindoor, this performance was postponed for the viewers.
     As things stand, the programme of the BSF has been once again opened to the public, so that through this unique display of patriotism, the bond between the security forces and the public can be strengthened and awareness towards border security can be increased, they said.
     The flag was being lowered every day all this while by BSF troops irrespective of the public presence, the sources clarified.
     The event is held daily in the evening at Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki borders. The BSF on May 8 stopped public entry for this event at these three locations, citing "public safety."
     The decision was taken a day after India destroyed nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory military offensive against the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead.
     It had, days after the attack, declared that the public ceremony would be conducted, but without opening the border gates and the traditional shaking of hands between the BSF and Rangers.
     The Indian flag is lowered every evening by BSF troops in synchronisation with Pakistan Rangers at the joint check posts located at Attari (Amritsar district) opposite Pakistan's Wagah, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district across Ganda Singh Wala, and at Sadki in Fazilka district.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)