Bitterness at Attari to deprive Pak rangers of Diwali sweets

The bitterness that has started brewing between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Pakistani Rangers in the Attari sector and came to fore on Eid, will also be seen on Diwali, with the BSF deciding not to offer sweets to the Pakistani Rangers on India’s one of the biggest festivals.

The recent firing incidents between the two nations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) had its impact on this border also, as on Eid the Pakistani Rangers refused to offer or accept sweets from the BSF.

The refusal by the Pakistani rangers had miffed the BSF, which has decided not to offer sweets to their Pakistani counterparts this Diwali.

Confirming the BSF decision to Hindustan Times, BSF DIG MF Farooqui said: “It’s official that we will not be offering sweets to the Pakistani Rangers on Diwali. At present, the relations between the two nations are not cordial, so offering sweets don’t make any sense.”

He said the acrimony was displayed by the Pakistani rangers on Eid by dumping all goodwill gestures. “This is a peaceful border, and it was the rangers who showed cold vibes at the Indo-Pak Joint Check Post at Attari border. So we (BSF) have decided not to go ahead with sweets exchange with them,” he added.

On a question that when the practice of sweets exchange will be resumed, Farooqui said, “I cannot say anything that when this practice will resumes on this border. It all depends on bilateral relations. If it improved in future, we might see a change of stance here as well.”

However, BSF Punjab Frontier IG Ashok Kumar claimed that since there were very few days to the festival, final decision was yet to be taken. However, he confirmed that it was unlikely that the BSF would offer sweets to the rangers.

“The atmosphere is such that there is no point in doing all this,” he added.

India has taken a strong note of repeated ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops along the LoC and attack on Indian residents in Jammu sector.

After repeated ceasefire violations, tension escalated between the BSF and the Pakistani Rangers. It also had its impact on peaceful border of Punjab.

In routine, it is the BSF that offers sweets to the Pakistani Rangers on Diwali, while on occasions such as Eid and Independence Day both the forces exchange pleasantries.

First Published: Oct 20, 2014 20:49 IST