Beating Retreat Ceremony Resumes after 12-Day Hiatus Amid Security Concerns
After a 12-day suspension, the iconic Beating Retreat ceremony has resumed at the Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki checkpoints in Punjab, much to the delight of spectators. The Border Security Force (BSF) has confirmed that the event is now open to the public, even though certain restrictions remain in place to ensure safety and security.
Atul Phuljhele, Inspector General of the BSF Punjab Frontier, stated that while the ceremony is back, the gates at the border will not be opened during the parade, and ther will be no handshakes between BSF personnel and their counterparts from the Pakistan Rangers. The suspension of the ceremony began on May 8, following a terrorist attack in the Kashmir Valley’s Pahalgam area, as part of Operation Sindoor, which aimed to bolster security. This decision was made in the interest of public safety, and while interactions with the pakistan Rangers were halted, the daily flag-lowering ceremony continued as per protocol. The return of the Beating Retreat ceremony not only marks a return to normalcy but also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between security and tradition in this border region.
