Independence Day: No exchange of sweets between BSF, Rangers

New Delhi: No ceremonial exchange of sweets and gifts will take place between BSF and Pak Rangers during the Independence day celebrations on both the sides, in the wake of recent ceasefire violations and cross-border terror bids from the Pakistan side.

The Border Security Force headquarters here has communicated the decision in this regard to their formations in the western sector of the country where its troops guard the International Border (IB) with Pakistan along Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir independently. At the Line of Control, the BSF is deployed under the command of the Army.

"Neither sweets nor gifts will be offered or taken on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day and on August 15, the day when India got freedom in 1947. The decision has been communicated to field formations," a senior BSF officer said.

The souring of ties and customary courtesies between the two countries was recently seen when Pakistan refused a similar Indian gesture during Eid festivities last month.

Border guarding forces of the two countries have been following a tradition of exchanging sweets on national festivals and other events at the IB in Jammu and along the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar in Punjab and few other locations in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

In the wake of repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistani Rangers, India has warned Pakistan of "effective and forceful" response to unprovoked firing and cross-border terrorism.

The latest development comes in the backdrop of two terror incidents in Gurdaspur in Punjab and Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, where it is believed that militants crossed over to this side from across the border to perpetrate violence.

There have been 19 ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border in the month of July only in which four persons, including three troops, have been killed and 14 others injured.