Pakistan Rangers in a customary exchange of presents gifted delicious sweetmeats (Mithai) to Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) in Indian-held Kashmir’s Samba sector on the occasion of Holi earlier today.
The BSF also hoisted the Indian flag on the occasion.
The move comes just a day after the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border on the eve of Pakistan Day celebrations, when Rangers Deputy Director General Brigadier Zahid Hussain gifted sweets to his Indian counterpart.
The exchange of greetings and sweets is a routine feature between the two countries but was suspended for a few months last year due to tensions along the border in the wake of cross-border firing, with both sides accusing the other of violating the ceasefire agreement at the Line of Control (LoC).
Last year, Pakistani and Indian border troops along the LoC had exchanged sweets on the occasion of India’s Republic Day in January, on Pakistan’s 68th Independence Day on Aug 14 and in November on the occasion of Diwali.
The customary greeting was, however, abandoned on Eidul Fitr last year when the Punjab Rangers refused to accept sweets from the BSF, with BSF Deputy Inspector General MF Farooqui saying there would be “no Eid greetings exchanged with the Pakistani Rangers” on the first day of Eid.
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