While the Indian media said that the daily display of choreographed aggression by Pakistani and Indian soldiers at the Wagah border has been toned down because of knee injuries to the participants, the Pakistan Rangers denies the report.
The Hindustan Times quoted a senior Indian Border Security Force officer, Himmat Singh, as saying “We had proposed a lowering of the aggression in the gestures during the daily parade, and subsequently took a unilateral decision to implement that.
“Now, the Pakistan Rangers have also agreed to the proposal, and toned down their drill.”
However, spokesperson for Pakistan Rangers, Punjab chapter, DSP Nadeem Raza said that while it was agreed that Pakistani soldiers would refrain from aggressive staring and fist gesture, they would continue with the familiar boot stomping and “professionalism”.
The exaggerated boot-stomping that was a major feature of the ceremony had, Singh said, resulted in guards on both sides suffering “mild-to-severe” damage to joints, particularly the knees.
The military flag-lowering ceremony that takes place every evening at the border post draws crowds of partisan tourists who cheer every hostile strut and stare traded by the border guards on both sides.
Despite the ritualised hostility, the show and the atmosphere surrounding it is one of good-natured rivalry.
Raza said that during their last bi-annual meeting, the Indian Border Security Forces had requested Director-General Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, Major-General Muhammad Yaqub Khan, to tone down the boot stomping as some soldiers were developing knee injuries, but the proposal was rejected.
Khan said that the Pakistan Rangers would continue with full grandeur, honour and professionalism.
Raza added that they have not yet received any complaints from the Rangers who carry out the daily drill.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2010.
COMMENTS (7)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ