Soldiers from India and Pakistan exchanged sweets at Atari-Wagah border on August 14, 2016.
Highlights
- India and Pakistan soldiers exchange sweets at Atari-Wagah border
- Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch; firing retaliated by India
- Security is increased on both sides of Wagah after Pak security alert
Amid ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, soldiers from the two countries exchanged sweets at Atari-Wagah border on the occasion of Pakistan's Independence Day.
Last year, Border Security Force (BSF) had refused to accept sweets from Pakistan on its Independence Day amid tension over terror attack in Dinananagar in Gurdaspur district in July 2015.
Despite security alert by Pakistan Counter Terrorism Authority warning about a possible suicide attack by Pakistan Taliban, a huge crowd had gathered at the Pakistan side of the Wagah border.
India and Pakistan have strengthened security at Wagah Border, where soldiers of the two countries collaborate in a widely popular retreat ceremony, after Islamabad's warning.
"Tehreek-i-Taliban's Fazalullah group is planning to target parade at Wagah Border in Lahore and Ganda Singh Border in Kasur on August 13, 14 or 15," said a security alert in Pakistan.
Pakistan's Punjab has also issued a separate alert saying "at least 16 suicide attackers have entered the Punjab province" and they are planning to target public gatherings around Independence Day. The police in the Pakistani province have tightened security along the border and arrested many suspects, an official said.
In November, 2014, over 60 including children and security personnel were killed and 200 wounded in a deadly terror attack at Wagah. The attack took place right after the retreat ceremony.