BSF, Pakistan rangers exchange sweets, greetings to mark Chambaliyal fair

In a sign of renewed bonhomie, the Border Security Force and the Pakistan rangers on  Thursday exchanged greetings and sweets as they met at the International Border to mark the historic Chambaliyal fair.

A delegation of Pakistan rangers, police officers and officials from the civil administration met their Indian counterparts on the zero line as they exchanged pleasantries and pledged to continue with the bonhomie.

Speaking on the occasion, Brigadier Waseem Zaffar Bhatti, sector commander of the Pakistan Rangers said, "It's an honour to be here. We have been meeting but today is a different environment and we are thankful to the Indian side for giving us such a warm welcome." "Sharing experiences bring change, change for good," he said.

Thousands of people celebrated the annual fair with traditional gaiety near the International Border (IB) of Samba district in Jammu division. The Pakistani side brought a 'chaddar' (holy blanket) for shrine which was handed over to the BSF.

The Indian authorities also handed over 'shaker' (holy soil)' and 'sharbat' (holy water) from the shrine to the visiting team for the devotees on their side of the fence. Thousands of people visited the shrine of Baba Chambaliyal to celebrate 324th anniversary of Dileep Singh Manhas, who was popularly known as Baba Chambaliyal, on the concluding day of fair today.

While the fair on Indian side is held for three days in the shrine complex in Chambaliyal village, it is held on the Pakistani side for a week in Saida Wala village of Sialkote district. Saida Wala village lies opposite Chambaliyal across the IB.