The iconic Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border between India and Pakistan is set to resume today in a scaled-down format, following a brief suspension in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Sources confirm that while the ceremony will take place, significant protocol changes have been made to reflect the current security climate. Notably, the traditional opening of border gates and the symbolic handshake between the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers will be omitted. Audiences will still be permitted to witness the event from the Indian side, but under intensified security measures.
The decision to modify the ceremony stems from the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including many tourists. In response, Indian forces launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), escalating cross-border tensions.
The Beating Retreat ceremony, a daily military tradition since 1959, typically features elaborate drill movements, patriotic music, and a display of ceremonial coordination between both countries. However, in light of recent events, the BSF has opted for a subdued version of the ceremony as a symbolic gesture, signaling India’s firm stance against cross-border terrorism.
Authorities stress that while the cultural and ceremonial aspect of the retreat remains, the security of citizens and national sentiment take precedence during this sensitive time.
