It is a tradition to exchange sweets with the neighbour on special occasions such festivals and important national days but…
India-Pakistan Wagah Border (Photo: Getty Images)
It is a tradition to exchange sweets with the neighbour on special occasions such festivals and important national days but the Border Security Force (BSF) skipped that with Pakistan today.
The BSF, which guards the Indo-Pak and the Indo-Bangladesh borders, did not exchange sweets with the Pakistani Rangers as the nation celebrated its 69th Republic Day on Friday, 26 January.
BSF jawans did, however, exchange sweets with the Border Guards Bangladesh (BGB) at the Fulbari in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
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The Indian border guards had already stated their intention of not exchanging sweets with the Pakistani Rangers and had duly conveyed the same to the Pakistani side.
Speaking to the media, Director General of the BSF, KK Sharma, said that the “atmosphere was not suitable” for an exchange of sweets.
He said that the BSF took up the matter of ceasefire violations in a flag meeting with the Rangers.
“Both sides agreed that ceasefire violations should be reduced,” Sharma was quoted as saying at Wagah border.
BSF never initiates ceasefire violation, the DG said adding that the tradition of sweet exchange will be revived in the future.
Ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the month of January alone killed two BSF soldiers and many others, including civilians and personnel of the Indian Army.
Data with the Ministry of Defence reveals that till 21 January, Pakistan has already committed 134 ceasefire violations.
The move by the BSF came following the heightened tension between both countries along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir due to repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces leading to killing of soldiers and civilians on the Indian side.
Tension continues to prevail along the International Border (IB) and the LoC due to repeated ceasefire violations.
With “pin-pointed retaliation”, the Indian security forces are destroying military installations such as bunkers and ammunition dumps of the enemy.
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