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{{Short description|Daily military border ceremony involving India and Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox recurring event
| logo = {{multiple image
| border = infobox
| total_width = 280
| image_gap = 20
| caption_align = center
| image1 = The SAARC Car Rally 2007 being welcomed by traditional Drummers at the Wagah Border on March 28, 2007.jpg
| caption1 = [[Attari]]-[[Wagah]] border, [[Pakistan]] side
| perrow = 2
| align = center
}}
| image = File:Amritsar 20180906 161613.jpg
| caption = [[Attari]]-[[Wagah]] border, [[India]] side
| location = [[India–Pakistan border]], more specifically, [[Attari]] and [[Wagah]]
| years_active = Since {{Start date and age|1959|paren=yes}}
| founded = [[Border Security Force]] and [[Pakistan Rangers]]
| founders = [[Major General]] [[Mohinder Singh Chopra]] and [[Brigadier]] Nazir Ahmed
| dates = Every day
| genre = Military display
| coordinates = {{coord|31.60464|74.57310|format=dms|type:event|display=inline,title}}
| attendance =
| budget =
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}}

The ceremony at the [[Attari]]–[[Wagah]] border is a daily ceremony that the security forces of [[India]] ([[Border Security Force]]) and [[Pakistan]] ([[Pakistan Rangers]]) have jointly followed since 1959.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Khaleeli |first=Homa |title=Goodbye to the ceremony of silly walks between India and Pakistan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/nov/01/india-pakistan-border-showdown-toned-down |access-date=14 November 2011 |work=The Guardian |date=1 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101103050321/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/nov/01/india-pakistan-border-showdown-toned-down |archive-date=3 November 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> The drill is characterized by elaborate and rapid dance-like manoeuvres and raising legs as high as possible.<ref name="guardian" /> It is symbolic of the brotherhood as well as the rivalry that these two nations share.<ref name=":0" /> The border troops exchange sweets with the opposing side during the Muslim holidays of [[Muslim holidays|Eid]] and Hindu holiday of [[Diwali]].<ref name=peac2/>

The flag lowering ceremony at the village of Wagah is held each evening immediately before sunset.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/nov/01/india-pakistan-border-showdown-toned-down|title=Goodbye to the ceremony of silly walks between India and Pakistan|last=Khaleeli|first=Homa|date=2010-11-01|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-04-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The ceremony begins with battle calls from both sides in the form of loud screaming by the border guards. This is followed by a series of organized high kicks, stomps, and dance moves during which the opposing forces stare each other down.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20150429-indias-bizarre-border-ritual|title=India and Pakistan's beautiful border ritual|last=Clark|first=Tawny|website=www.bbc.com|language=en|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref> The event ends with a handshake of good faith being exchanged by the head guards along with the lowering of the flags.<ref name=":0" />

It has been a peaceful gathering with the exception of the [[2014 Wagah border suicide attack]] claimed by three outlawed rival Islamist groups<ref name=peac1>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-others/pakistan-at-least-30-killed-in-explosion-at-wagah-border-crossing/|title=Pakistan Blast kills 48 - The Indian Express|work=The Indian Express|date=3 November 2014|access-date=17 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1142006/jundullah-claims-suicide-attack-near-wagah-border-45-dead|title=TTP splinter groups claim Wagah attack; 60 dead|date=2 November 2014|access-date=17 November 2014}}</ref> in which 60 people were killed and over 110 people were left injured.<ref name=peac2>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29871077|title=Pakistan border bombing kills dozens|date=2014-11-03|access-date=2019-04-20|language=en-GB}}</ref> It has also been cancelled on occasion such as when Pakistan returned Wing Commander [[Abhinandan Varthaman]] back to India after his plane was shot down by the [[Pakistan Air Force]] (PAF) during the [[2019 India–Pakistan standoff]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/daily-retreat-ceremony-along-attari-wagah-border-cancelled-bsf/articleshow/68217133.cms|title=Daily Retreat ceremony along Attari-Wagah border cancelled: BSF|date=2019-03-01|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-04-20}}</ref> It was also stalled for several days from 8 May 2025 due to the [[2025 Pahalgam attack|2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack]] which killed 26 civilians.<ref name=stall2025>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-08 |title=Beating retreat at Attari-Wagah border stalled indefinitely |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/beating-retreat-at-attari-stalled-indefinitely/articleshow/120976964.cms |access-date=2025-05-08 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

[[File:Flag of India.jpg|thumb|right]]

Similar [[India–Pakistan border#Border ceremonies|India–Pakistan border ceremonies]] are also organised at several other places, such as the [[Mahavir/Sadqi International Parade Ground|Mahavir/Sadqi border]] near [[Fazilka]] in Punjab, the [[Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial|Hussainiwala]]/[[Ganda Singh Wala]] border near [[Firozpur]] in Punjab, and [[Munabao#Ceremony|Munabao–Khokhrapar border ceremony]] in [[Barmer district]] in Rajasthan.<ref name="cer1" /> India's border with other nations, such as [[Bangladesh–India border#Barrier|Bangladesh]] and [[Line of Actual Control|China]], also has [[Borders of India#Beating retreat#Border ceremonies|similar ceremonies]].

== History ==
The ceremony was founded by Brigadier (later Major General) [[Mohinder Singh Chopra]] and Brigadier Nazir Ahmed on 11 October 1947. It was marked by three drums, a chalk line on the Grand Trunk Road and a check post.<ref name=":0a">{{Cite web |title=Rediff On The NeT: 1947, A Soldier's Story |url=https://m.rediff.com/news/oct/28waga.htm |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=m.rediff.com}}</ref> Some tents were pitched both sides, two sentry boxes painted in the national colours of each country and a gate to regulate traffic for the refugees.<ref name=":0a" /> Two flag masts were also put up on either side and a brass plate commemorating the historic event was installed with both their names below the flags.<ref name=":0" />

==Overview==
[[File:Wagah Border2014.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Attari–Wagah border ceremony at the border crossing]]
[[File:Wagha Marching.jpg|thumb|Marching by Indian [[Border Security Force]] soldiers at the Attari border crossing]]

[[File:Women personnel of India's Border Security Force.jpg|thumb|Women personnel of [[Border Security Force]] taking part in the ceremonial retreat at the India–Pakistan border at the Attari border crossing, 2010.]]
[[File:Pakistani border rangers at Wagah border near Lahore 5.jpg|thumb|[[Pakistani Rangers]] at the Wagah border crossing]]
[[File:Flag Ceremony at Wagah Border.jpg|thumb|Indian crowd watching the ceremony at Attari border]]
[[File:Wagah border ceremony1.jpg|thumb|Pakistani crowd watching the ceremony at Wagah border]]
This ceremony takes place at the Attari–Wagah border, which is part of the [[Grand Trunk Road]]. Prior to the opening of the Aman Setu in [[Kashmir]] in 1999, it was the only road link between these two countries. It is called a [[Beating Retreat]] border ceremony on the international level.

The ceremony starts every evening immediately before sunset with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both sides, and ends with the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations' flags.<ref name="NYT">{{cite web|title=Peacocks at Sunset|url=http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/peacocks-at-sunset/|work=Opinionator: Borderlines|publisher=The New York Times|access-date=15 July 2012|first=Frank | last=Jacobs|date=3 July 2012}}</ref> One [[infantryman]] stands at attention on each side of the gate. As the sun sets, the iron gates at the border are opened and the two flags are lowered simultaneously. The flags are then folded, and the ceremony ends with a retreat that involves a brusque handshake between soldiers from either side, followed by the closing of the gates again. The spectacle of the ceremony attracts many visitors from both sides of the border, as well as international tourists.<ref name="NYT" /> In 2010, the ceremony was made less hostile by both sides; the ceremony now includes a handshake and a smile.<ref name="NPR2010">{{cite web|title=India, Pakistan To Ratchet Down Aggressive Border Ceremony|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2010/07/22/128696789/india-pakistan-to-ratchet-down-aggressive-border-ceremony|work=NPR|publisher=NPR|access-date=4 January 2024|first=Scott | last=Neuman|date=22 July 2010}}</ref><ref name="BBC2010">{{cite web|title=Wagah border ceremony aggression toned down|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-10722514|work=BBC|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 January 2024|author=BBC|date=22 July 2010}}</ref> In October 2010, Major General Yaqub Ali Khan of the Pakistan Rangers decided that the aggressive aspect of the ceremonial theatrics should be toned down. The soldiers of this ceremony are specially appointed and trained for this ceremony.
[[File:India Pakistan Border Wagha (15027737723).jpg|thumb|Pakistani and Indian soldiers shaking hands]]

== Incidents ==
=== 2014 suicide attack ===
{{Main|2014 Wagah border suicide attack}}

On 2 November 2014, approximately 60 people were killed and at least 110 people were injured in a suicide attack on the Pakistan side of Attari–Wagah border. A [[suicide bomber]] detonated a {{convert|25|kg|abbr=on}} explosive in his vest {{convert|600|metres}} from the crossing point in the evening after the ceremony ended.<ref>{{cite web |title= Pakistan blast 'kills 45' at Wagah border with India |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-29871077 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=2 November 2014 |access-date=2 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kassim |first1=Aliza |title=Suicide bomber kills dozens at Pakistan border parade, police say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/02/world/asia/pakistan-lahore-parade-border-explosion/index.html |website=CNN World |publisher=CNN |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226121941/https://www.cnn.com/2014/11/02/world/asia/pakistan-lahore-parade-border-explosion/index.html |archive-date=26 February 2021 |date=3 November 2014}}</ref> The attack was claimed by three rival islamist militant groups.<ref>[https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21631112-nawaz-sharif-weakening-and-looks-unable-improve-relations-india-wearing-thin Wearing thin: Nawaz Sharif is weakening, and looks unable to improve relations with India], economist.com.</ref>

=== 2016 tensions ===
After the [[2016 Indian Line of Control strike|India–Pakistan military confrontation on 29 September 2016]], the border closing ceremony continued, but on the Indian side public attendance was denied on the evenings between 29 September and 8 October 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Attari-Wagah post echoes with patriotic chants again |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/attari-wagah-post-echoes-with-patriotic-chants-again/story-0c64r9bdI7B3HUeKNqkXkJ.html |work=[[hindustantimes]] |date=9 October 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016}}</ref> As a sign of the increased tensions, the BSF did not exchange sweets and greetings with Pakistani Rangers on Diwali that year, despite a long tradition of doing so on major religious festivals like [[Eid al-Adha|Bakr-Eid]] and [[Diwali]], and also during Independence Days of both countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=BSF refuses to exchange Diwali sweets at Wagah as Indo-Pak tension increases |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/bsf-refuses-to-exchange-diwali-sweets-at-wagah-as-indo-pak-tension-increases/articleshow/55141786.cms |work=[[The Economic Times]] |date=30 October 2016 |access-date=6 November 2016 |archive-date=27 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227183058/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/bsf-refuses-to-exchange-diwali-sweets-at-wagah-as-indo-pak-tension-increases/articleshow/55141786.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== 2025 tensions ===
Amid skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani forces following the [[2025 Pahalgam attack|Pahalgam Terror Attack]] and [[2025 India–Pakistan conflict|Operation Sindoor]], the Beating Retreat was indefinitely paused on 8 May 2025.<ref name="stall2025" />

The ceremony resumed in a limited capacity on 20 May 2025, without the usual handshakes and distribution of sweets.<ref>{{cite news |title=No Handshake, No Sweets: Low-Key Beating Retreat Ceremony Resumes At Attari |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-handshake-no-sweets-low-key-beating-retreat-ceremony-resumes-at-attari-8464816 |access-date=28 February 2026 |work=NDTV |date=20 May 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

== Other places ==
{{see also | Borders of India#Border ceremonies }}
[[File:Ganda Singh border kasur.jpg|thumb|190px|Border ceremony at Ganda Singh Wala–Hussainiwala border]]

[[File:Ceremony time parade.jpg|thumb|190px|Benapole–Petrapole border ceremony]]

[[File:Indian BSF at Petrapole Border.jpg|thumb|190px|BSF at Petrapole Border in Ceremonial Dress]]

Similar border ceremonies are also carried out at other India–Pakistan border posts, including at [[Ganda Singh Wala]], [[Kasur District|Kasur district]] (Pakistani side) / [[Hussainiwala]], [[Firozpur district]] (Indian side),<ref name=cer1>[https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/indo-pak-border-839044-2016-10-10 5 crossing points in India: All you need to know], India Today, 10 October 2016.</ref><ref name=cer2>[https://changing-guard.com/changing-guard-worldwide/wagah-india.html Beating Retreat Wagah India], Changing Guards, accessed 8 July 2021.</ref> and at [[Sulemanki Headworks|Sulemanki]], [[Okara District|Okara district]] (Pakistani side) / [[Mahavir/Sadqi International Parade Ground|Sadqi]], [[Fazilka district]] (Indian side).<ref name=cer1/><ref name=cer2/><ref name=Mahavir1>[https://fazilka.nic.in/tourist-place/sadqi-retreat-ceremony/ Sadqi retreat ceremony], nic.in, accessed 8 July 2021.</ref><ref name=Mahavir2>[https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/punjab-sadiqi-border-in-fazilka-will-be-another-wagah/story-seJrYctRLdv5jI3KdHBuzJ.html Second Wagah: India, Pak agree to new ceremony, beating retreat on Punjab border], Hindustan Times, 201 April 2017.</ref><ref name=Mahavir3>[https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/at-sadiqi-border-strained-indo-pak-ties-dampen-spirits-818449 At Sadiqi border, strained Indo-Pak ties dampen spirits], The Tribune, 17 April 2019.</ref>

As at the Attari–Wagah border, border soldiers from both sides intimidate each other by throwing high kicks and staring, and the ceremonies are concluded by a simultaneous [[beating retreat|flag or beating retreat]]. These ceremonies occur in smaller settings, and spectators tend to be local [[Punjabis]] rather than tourists from other regions in India, Pakistan, and other countries. The method of drill and parade is also quite different compared to that in the Wagah–Attari border.{{fact|date=December 2024}}

== See also ==
* [[Benapole–Petrapole border ceremony]]

[[File:Wagah Border Ceremony from Pakistani Side.webm|thumb|Wagah–Attari border ceremony from Pakistani side, 2013]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Wagah Border}}
* [[Michael Palin]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9y2qtaopbE at the India–Pakistan border ceremony on the Pakistani side] (from ''[[Himalaya with Michael Palin]]''). BBCWorldwide video on YouTube.
* [[Sanjeev Bhaskar]] [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC9NeJh1NhI at the India–Pakistan border ceremony on the Indian side]. BBCWorldwide video on YouTube.

[[Category:India–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:Ceremonies in India]]
[[Category:Ceremonies in Pakistan]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan border]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Amritsar]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Lahore]]
[[Category:Daily events]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in East Punjab]]
[[Category:1959 establishments in Pakistan]]
[[Category:Punjab Rangers]]
[[Category:Recurring events established in 1959]]

[[fr:Wagah#Cérémonie de fermeture de la frontière]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Attari-Wagah border ceremony}}

Attari Wagah border ceremony - Revision history

NoellaXgt402 at 02:25, 30 April 2026