In flag- hoisting war at border, India pips Pakistan

India has reached the battlefield before Pakistan in the latest war with its adversary — the flag war on the border.

Almost a gap of three-and-a-half months, the 360-ft high national flag is back at the Attari border as the nation is set to celebrate its 70th Independence Day on Tuesday.

The Tricolour was hoisted on Sunday, a day before Pakistan is planning to unfurl a 400-ft flag on their side of the border.

Notably, the 360-ft flag was initially hoisted at the Attari border in March this year, but it got damaged thrice due to strong wind blowing at the high altitude. The flag was taken off in May and the district administration decided not to hoist it till a permanent solution to the problem is found.

In a bid to make it before the neighbouring country, Amritsar district administration hoisted the Tricolour at Attari on Sunday. (HT Photo)

Meanwhile, Pakistan also started working on a parallel project and decided to hoist a 400-ft flag at Wagah. This will be hoisted on August 14 (Monday), which is Pakistan’s Independence Day.

In a bid to make it before the neighbouring country, the district administration hoisted the Tricolour at Attari on Sunday.

However, officials said this flag will not be a permanent feature as it will unfurl till August 16. It will be hoisted on important occasions and the practice will continue till a permanent solution is found to problem caused by the wind.

The administration has now reduced the length and breadth of the flag from 120X80 ft to 90X60 ft.

The Amritsar administration had hoisted another flag at a height of 170-ft in Ranjit Avenue area, but that too was also removed around three months ago after it got damaged due to strong winds.

First Published: Aug 13, 2017 22:06 IST