All About The Beating Retreat Ceremony, Which India Might Suspend At Attari Border
India halts the Beating Retreat ceremony and closes Attari checkpost after a deadly Kashmir attack.
India has decided to stop the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, that killed 26 people, including foreign tourists. The decision is part of a strong response from the Indian government, which also includes closing the Attari checkpost and taking other steps to reduce ties with Pakistan.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, “The integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025.” The Beating Retreat ceremony is also being paused, and an official notice is on the way.
What is the Beating Retreat Ceremony?
The Beating Retreat ceremony takes place every evening at the Attari-Wagah border, the main road crossing between India and Pakistan. Since 1959, it has been performed by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan’s Rangers. The ceremony marks the end of the day and includes a colorful and dramatic military show. Soldiers march, high-kick, and lower the national flags at the same time. It ends with a handshake between both sides.
How It Started
The Beating Retreat ceremony began in 1959 as a way to manage border activities peacefully. After the 1947 partition, relations between India and Pakistan were tense. This daily ritual was created to bring order and to show respect between the two sides. It was inspired by British military traditions from colonial times. Over the years, it became a public event, showing both discipline and showmanship.
SAARC Visa Scheme Cancelled for Pakistani Nationals
In another strong move, India has ended all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) privileges for Pakistani citizens. This scheme was meant to make it easier for officials, parliament members, and diplomats from the South Asian region to travel. But now, it has become another casualty of the worsening ties between the two countries.
Misri confirmed, “Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under the SVES visa has 48 hours to leave the country.”
SAARC, which stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, includes eight nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The visa scheme was designed to promote regional unity and people-to-people contact. India’s decision to end it for Pakistan highlights a toughening of its position.
This step is part of a series of actions taken after an emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). India has also expelled Pakistani military advisors and called back its own defence staff from Islamabad. These actions show a clear lowering of diplomatic engagement.
The message from New Delhi is clear: in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, every channel of formal cooperation or access will now be re-evaluated. And where there is a risk, it will be shut down.
In an interview to ANI, a businessman from Attari, Manjeet Singh, says, “Our business will function somehow, but what happened (terrorist attack) was extremely wrong... It is one thing when soldiers are attacked because at least they know how to respond. But attacking tourists is extremely wrong... There is no problem if the number of tourists visiting our business decreases. We are with the country... The decision PM Narendra Modi has taken is good.”
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