Devil Soul
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2010
- Messages
- 22,931
- Reaction score
- 45
- Country
- Location
Worsening ties: Indian BSF not to exchange sweets with Rangers on Independence Day
By Web Desk
Published: August 12, 2015
Border guards exhcange gifts at Wagah. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ AND SHAFIQ MALIK
With tensions between the two nuclear-tipped neighbours rising, India’s border security force (BSF) announced on Wednesday that they will not indulge in the annual ritual of exchanging sweets on Independence Day.
Despite hostilities, Indian BSF and Pakistan Rangers have traditionally exchanged sweets at border crossings, particularly at the Wagah-Attari border on Independence Day. Pakistan had declared independence on August 14, 1947, while India had declared independence just a day later on August 15.
However, BSF’s Inspector General (IG) Frontier Anil Paliwal announced on Wednesday that, “This time this thing will not happen, we will neither receive nor give sweets to Pakistan Rangers on the occasions of Independence Days of both countries.”
His announcement comes just a day after Islamabad had summoned a high ranking Indian diplomat to lodge protest over cross border firing.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said that the decision was taken after IG Frontier had received instructions from BSF headquarters following in light of recent escalation of cross border incidents along both the Working Boundary and the Line of Control.
“We all know the prevailing situation, exchanging pleasantries and sweets with Pakistan troops under present circumstances will give wrong signals to general public,” said sources.
Pakistan and Indian forces at the border usually exchange sweets and pleasantries on national days such as Independence Day, Republic Day and significant religious holidays of both countries including Eid and Diwali.
Earlier in July, Pakistan and Indian forces had foregone the traditional exchange of sweets on Eid.
Previously, no exchange of sweets took place on Eidul Azha in October 2014. Subsequently, no sweets were exchanged on Diwali.
This article originally appeared on Times of India
By Web Desk
Published: August 12, 2015
Border guards exhcange gifts at Wagah. PHOTO: ABID NAWAZ AND SHAFIQ MALIK
With tensions between the two nuclear-tipped neighbours rising, India’s border security force (BSF) announced on Wednesday that they will not indulge in the annual ritual of exchanging sweets on Independence Day.
Despite hostilities, Indian BSF and Pakistan Rangers have traditionally exchanged sweets at border crossings, particularly at the Wagah-Attari border on Independence Day. Pakistan had declared independence on August 14, 1947, while India had declared independence just a day later on August 15.
However, BSF’s Inspector General (IG) Frontier Anil Paliwal announced on Wednesday that, “This time this thing will not happen, we will neither receive nor give sweets to Pakistan Rangers on the occasions of Independence Days of both countries.”
His announcement comes just a day after Islamabad had summoned a high ranking Indian diplomat to lodge protest over cross border firing.
Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity said that the decision was taken after IG Frontier had received instructions from BSF headquarters following in light of recent escalation of cross border incidents along both the Working Boundary and the Line of Control.
“We all know the prevailing situation, exchanging pleasantries and sweets with Pakistan troops under present circumstances will give wrong signals to general public,” said sources.
Pakistan and Indian forces at the border usually exchange sweets and pleasantries on national days such as Independence Day, Republic Day and significant religious holidays of both countries including Eid and Diwali.
Earlier in July, Pakistan and Indian forces had foregone the traditional exchange of sweets on Eid.
Previously, no exchange of sweets took place on Eidul Azha in October 2014. Subsequently, no sweets were exchanged on Diwali.
This article originally appeared on Times of India
