The Border Security Force (BSF), on Friday refused to exchange sweets with Pakistani Rangers on the Wagah-Attari border on India’s 69th Republic Day over ceasefire violations. The decision was taken after 13 people, including 7 civilians, were killed in the recent ceasefire violations in Jammu alone. Indian security forces have said they have retaliated to the ceasefire violations from across the border with ‘pin-pointed retaliation’
Ceasefire violations was the main issue of discussion during flag meeting with Pakistan. Both sides agreed that ceasefire violations should be reduced. BSF never initiates ceasefire violation: DG BSF KK Sharma at Attari Wagah border #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/FWQ7VG0Nj8
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
The BSF, however, was hopeful that the tradition of exchanging sweets at the border will be revived soon. Meanwhile, the BSF exchanged sweets with their Bangladeshi counterparts at Fulbari post in West Bengal.
West Bengal: Sweets exchanged between troops of the Border Security Force and Border Guards, Bangladesh at Fulbari post. #RepublicDay pic.twitter.com/82XrS7x3ig
— ANI (@ANI) January 26, 2018
It has been a long standing tradition to exchange sweets at the International Border with Pakistan on days of significance in either of the countries. Indian Republic Day is one such day when sweets are exchanged. Earlier the tradition was suspended for Diwali in 2016 when the BSF decided to protest the killings of jawans in unprovoked firing along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
