Attari, Punjab: Upon Pakistan's request, India had suspended the daily military ritual at Wagah, the main land border crossing between the two countries, but this evening, Pakistani troops held the colourful parade that accompanies the lowering of the national flag at sunset.
Pakistan's army also allowed tourists on its side of the border to attend and cheer the parade. India's soldiers lowered the flag without the usual pomp and ceremony, just 28 kms from the city of Amritsar.
Yesterday, at least 60 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in a suicide attack in a car park about 500 metres from Pakistan's border gate just as hundreds of people left the popular daily performance.
Earlier, the Home Ministry said the Border Security Force had agreed to a Pakistani request to suspend the flag-lowering ceremony for security reasons.
Every day, thousands of Indians and Pakistanis flock to the Attari-Wagah joint post to watch the elaborate show where border security officials kick their feet high in mock aggression in a display of patriotism.
The crowds pack out bleachers set up on either side of the each country's border gates, which are adorned with large, facing portraits of their founding fathers, Mahatma Gandhi on the Indian side and Mohammed Ali Jinnah on the Pakistani side.
"It is the first time we have suspended the ceremony after the war. The ceremony was not suspended even during Kargil," Home Ministry spokesman KS Dhatwalia said on Monday, referring to the 1999 war.
General Ashok Kumar, a top official with the Border Security Force in Punjab, said Pakistani commanders informed Indian counterparts at the last minute today that they would hold the full ceremony on their side of the border.
General Kumar said the ceremony will be held normally in India from Tuesday.
Pakistan's army also allowed tourists on its side of the border to attend and cheer the parade. India's soldiers lowered the flag without the usual pomp and ceremony, just 28 kms from the city of Amritsar.
Yesterday, at least 60 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in a suicide attack in a car park about 500 metres from Pakistan's border gate just as hundreds of people left the popular daily performance.
Every day, thousands of Indians and Pakistanis flock to the Attari-Wagah joint post to watch the elaborate show where border security officials kick their feet high in mock aggression in a display of patriotism.
Advertisement
"It is the first time we have suspended the ceremony after the war. The ceremony was not suspended even during Kargil," Home Ministry spokesman KS Dhatwalia said on Monday, referring to the 1999 war.
Advertisement
General Kumar said the ceremony will be held normally in India from Tuesday.
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Pakistan Woman Arrives In India To Marry Kolkata Resident Watch: Student Unfurls Indian Flag At Graduation Ceremony Abroad, Internet Reacts Student Flaunts Indian Flag At His Graduation In New York, Internet Reacts Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops "Far From Over" But Joe Biden Has High Hopes For Gaza Ceasefire Indian Student In UK Develops Revolutionary Carbon-Extracting Biomaterial Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.