ATTARI: The daily border ceremony between Pakistan and India at Wagah continued on Saturday with the usual display of military pageantry, but notably absent was the traditional handshake between soldiers.
Tensions have risen sharply since New Delhi accused Islamabad of involvement in the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left more than two dozen tourists dead. Pakistan has denied the allegations, and both sides have exchanged diplomatic expulsions while border closures have been announced.
The Attari-Wagah border ceremony — a ritual known for its theatrical displays of goose-stepping soldiers and cheering crowds — has long survived diplomatic crises. However, on Saturday, the gates separating the two countries remained locked, reflecting the strained atmosphere.
Despite the heightened tensions, around 5,000 Indians — roughly a fifth of the stadium’s full capacity — gathered to cheer the soldiers. In contrast, only a small number of spectators were present on the Pakistani side.
Visitors expressed a mix of patriotic pride and underlying anxiety. “It just fills you with passion and pride,” said Simarjeet Singh, a 17-year-old visitor from Amritsar. Other tourists, such as Reena Devi and PK Nath from Assam, noted excitement about visiting the border, though some voiced security concerns regarding their upcoming trip to IIOJK.
While the ceremony maintained its energy, many feared the possibility of military escalation. “There is obvious anxiety right now,” said Harpal Singh, a taxi driver from Amritsar who regularly brings visitors to the ceremony.
Aside from the ceremony, cross-border travel has been disrupted after both nations cancelled visas, forcing citizens to leave before India’s April 29 deadline, affecting families divided across the border. Despite the tensions, visitors said the spectacle remained memorable. “We don’t want war, but this time we must teach them a lesson,” said KT Ramesh, a visitor from Kerala.
The daily ceremony, a relic from the 1947 Partition that divided India and Pakistan, has been a symbol of both rivalry and resilience. Its continuation, even in a muted form, highlights the complexities of the two nations’ enduring relationship.
