Beating retreat resumes at India-Pakistan border after ceasefire

After a 12-day suspension amid heightened military tensions, the iconic Beating Retreat ceremony resumed in a scaled-down format on Tuesday evening at the Attari-Wagah, Hussainiwala, and Fazilka border crossings in Punjab. While the event proceeded without the traditional handshake or gate opening between Indian and Pakistani forces, spectators were allowed to witness the symbolic military drill.

Held since 1959, the Beating Retreat is a daily spectacle marked by synchronized military displays and the ceremonial lowering of national flags just before sunset. The Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post typically draws crowds in the thousands—including tourists and foreign visitors—but recent tensions have led to a more restrained observance.

Despite the reduced format, the event continues to serve as a powerful display of discipline, national pride, and the complex relationship between the neighbouring nations.