LoC tension travels to quiet Attari

The escalation in tension at the Line of Control (LoC) seems to have travelled to the Attari-Wagah border check post — the main entry-exit point between India and Pakistan.

The towering jawans of the border-guarding forces of both the countries are back to their menacingly ways — each trying to stamp their heels with a louder thud than the other, matching the threatening gaze and banging the gates at the zero line with greater aggression than their counterpart.

The same ceremonial drill was much toned down only a few days back. Thanks to the confidence building measures (CBMs) between the two countries and empathy for jawans, who invariably injured their knees and heels during the aggressive drill, both BSF and Pak Rangers had toned down their theatrical aggression.The Indo-Pak bonhomie even gave way to exchanges of cordialities between the troops as the BSF jawans even exchanged sweets with their counterparts, on Diwali, in November last year.

BSF officials say the drill always reflects the mood and relations between the two countries. It happened in 1999 during the Kargil war, in 2008 when Mumbai was attacked and has happened again following escalation of tensions at the LoC.  With passions running high even among civilians, the jawans at times are forced to translate demands of those who come to watch the drill and push their respective forces with war cries. While thousands of people have assembled on the Indian side to watch the surcharged drill, spectators are much less on the Pakistan’s side. The BSF sets the tone playing patriotic songs, a la Manoj Kumar films, and enthuse the onlookers with surcharged spirits and sloganeering.

The crowd cheers the BSF jawans loudly as they take their first step to start the ceremony that takes place close to sunset every day. Amid loud cheers, the only harmony of sorts is at the time of lowering of the national flags on both sides. The rest is almost like a battle without ammunition.Compared to Pakistan, the Indian drill looks far more majestic with two black commandos of the BSF positioned on the zero line, and women BSF personnel participating in it with vigour.

Lately, the ceremonial drill has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. “The spectators sometimes cross 10,000 making it very difficult for us to manage them,” says BSF commandant. “Though the crowd wants us to be more aggressive, we try to ensure that the overwhelming sentiments of the crowd do not spill over across the border.”