Rocks pelted from Pakistan side during beating retreat at Wagah

This is the first ever instance of such hostility exhibited during the iconic beating retreat ceremony at the Wagah-Attari border.

Wagah, Oct 2: During the beating retreat ceremony at Wagah-Attari border on Sunday evening, the crowd from Pakistan side reportedly pelted rocks on India. Border Security Forces (BSF) has taken cognizance of the issue. The matter has been raised up with their Pakistani counterparts. However, Pakistan is yet to respond over such security lapse and hostile behaviour from their side. BSF has called for a flag meeting with the Pakistani Rangers to discuss the matter.

The rocks being pelted by the Pakistani spectators was alarming. This is the first ever instance of such hostility exhibited during the iconic beating retreat ceremony. The march at Wagah, conducted every evening, usually passes away in a peaceful manner with people across both sides of the border enjoying the ceremony. The pelting of stones also raises serious security concerns, originating from the Pakistani side. No injuries so far has been reported due to the pelting of stones. The beating retreat ceremony is assumed to have been completed as per normal procedure.

BSF has asked for a flag meeting with their Pakistani counterparts over this issue, no response from them yet: Sources

— ANI (@ANI_news) October 2, 2016

The beating retreat ceremony was called off on Thursday, following the cross-border surgical strikes carried out by India, targeting the terror camps in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). In the surgical strikes, more than 50 potential infiltrators were killed by the Indian para commandos, as per unconfirmed reports. The covert operation was carried out by India to avenge the terror attack at the army camp in Uri, where 19 soldiers were killed by the four fidayeens. (ALSO READ: India-Pakistan War 2016: Why India is bound to win a full-blown war against Pakistan?)

Pakistan has, however, refuted the claims of surgical strike, accusing India of violating ceasefire and gunning down two of its soldiers. Far from accepting any covert operation being carried out by India, Pakistani media claimed nearly 8 Indian soldiers were killed in their unsuccessful infiltration attempt, whereas, one Chandu Babulal Chavan was apprehended. India has denied such claims. According to Indian army, sepoy Chandu Chavan mistakenly entered the Pakistani territory and was apprehended. (ALSO READ: Army soldier Chandu Chavan still under Pakistan captivity: Situation tense in Dhule, as Manohar Parrikar assures release)

The bilateral friction between India and Pakistan escalated to a whole new level after the surgical strike carried out by India. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed stiff retaliatory action if India attempt to show cross-border aggression. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif went ahead to make a nuclear threat. “The tactical weapons which we have are not kept for show. If they will pose a threat to us, we will use these weapons for our security,” he said while speaking to local media.