Beating Retreat Ceremony to Resume at India-Pakistan Border After Ceasefire Pause

After a 12-day suspension in light of military tensions, the iconic Beating Retreat ceremony at the India-Pakistan border is set to resume on Tuesday evening in a scaled-down format. The ceremonial event, conducted by the Border Security Force (BSF), will take place at three key border points in Punjab—Attari-Wagah near Amritsar, Hussainiwala in Ferozepur, and Sadqi in Fazilka.

The ceremony returns following a 10-day ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Officials have confirmed that, while spectators will be allowed to attend, traditional gestures such as the handshake between personnel on both sides and the opening of border gates will be omitted for now.

The ceremony is scheduled to commence at 6 p.m. at all three locations. Local residents in Fazilka have been urged by the Border Area Development Front to arrive at the Sadqi border by 5:30 p.m. to witness the spectacle in large numbers.

Since its inception in 1959, the Beating Retreat has become a symbol of both tension and camaraderie between the two nations. The ceremony features synchronised marching, salutes, and flag-lowering just before dusk, often creating a charged atmosphere among the onlookers.

Historically, the border forces on both sides have exchanged sweets on festivals such as Diwali and Eid, as well as on national days like Independence Day and Republic Day. However, this tradition has occasionally been suspended during periods of heightened tension.

India has previously opted out of traditional gestures at the ceremony in response to escalating tensions. In 2019, the BSF declined to participate in the customary sweet exchange following a surge in ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. A similar decision was made after the surgical strikes conducted by Indian forces in September 2016.​