In a symbolic yet scaled-down revival of tradition, the iconic Beating Retreat ceremony resumed on Tuesday at all three India-Pakistan border check posts in Punjab — Attari (Amritsar), Hussainiwala (Ferozepur), and Sadki (Fazilka) — 12 days after it was suspended in the aftermath of Indias retaliatory military action, Operation Sindoor.   The resumption marked a cautious return to public ceremony amid heightened cross-border tensions following Indias precision air strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on May 6-7, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 Indian lives.   While the tricolour was lowered with usual military precision and zeal, the ceremony bore visible signs of modification. The traditional border gate-opening and handshake between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers — hallmarks of the decades-old ritual — remained suspended. The gates stayed firmly shut, and the soldiers refrained from any physical gestures of camaraderie across the border.    At the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post, BSF soldiers marched in crisp synchronization to patriotic tunes, showcasing high morale and ceremonial discipline. For the first time since the pause, a contingent of BSF women soldiers also participated in the parade, drawing loud cheers from the Indian gallery.   Thousands of visitors, waving the Indian flag, gathered at the Attari side to witness the event, with the air resonating with chants of Bharat Mata ki Jai and Vande Mataram. However, in stark contrast, the Pakistani gallery appeared sparsely occupied. Eyewitnesses noted that Pakistani Rangers had to bring in local workers to fill empty seats, underlining the subdued response from across the border.   Though the flag-lowering ceremony continued daily without public participation since May 8, this formal reopening, albeit without cross-border interaction, holds significance. According to BSF officials, Tuesdays ceremony was open only to the media, with public attendance to be permitted starting Wednesday (May 21) at the usual 6 pm slot.    The Beating Retreat ceremony, a legacy of 1959, is more than a military ritual — it is a daily spectacle that attracts thousands of tourists, including international visitors. It represents both nations martial pride and uneasy truce. With gates shut and hands not extended this time, the ceremony mirrors the current geopolitical mood — an exhibition of strength, not solidarity.   Officials maintained that public entry was suspended earlier purely for safety reasons, not as a political gesture. However, post-Operation Sindoor, the message was clear — India will continue its traditions on its own terms, without the need for symbolic cordiality.    Local economies around the border areas, particularly in Attari and Hussainiwala, depend heavily on the daily inflow of tourists. The 12-day pause had hit vendors, transporters, and hospitality providers hard. The revival of the ceremony is expected to provide both economic relief and psychological reassurance.    Punjab Farmers Reclaim Fields Beyond Barbed Wire; Access Resumes Under BSF Watch   After more than three weeks of restrictions following heightened India-Pakistan tensions, the Border Security Force (BSF) has allowed farmers in Punjab to return to their fields located beyond the barbed-wire fence along the international border. The relaxation came into effect on Tuesday across the six border districts — Ferozepur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Amritsar.   These fields, spread over nearly 21,600 acres and belonging to farmers from around 220 villages, lie between the fencing and the international border but fall within Indian territory. The decision has brought a sense of relief to farmers who had been barred from accessing their land due to cross-border tensions in April and May.   The restrictions were imposed after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 and the capture of a BSF jawan by Pakistan Rangers on April 23 in the Mamdot sector. Following Operation Sindoor, a military response by India, movement across the fence was suspended due to security concerns.   Although entry to the fields has now been permitted, regular agricultural work is yet to resume at full scale. Farmers require BSFs Kisan Guards to accompany them while crossing the barbed wire, and these escorts are not yet fully available. BSF protocols allow only two Kisan Guards per tractor, which limits the number of farmers who can enter daily.   With the summer cropping season approaching, farmers are under pressure to quickly clear their fields. Many were able to harvest wheat before the restrictions but could not collect wheat straw, which is crucial for cattle fodder. The upcoming paddy transplantation season, beginning June 1, added to the urgency.   BSF allowed movement across the fence only between 8 am and 5 pm in summer, under tight security. This limited window is likely to create a backlog as hundreds of farmers rush to complete pre-sowing fieldwork.

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