Attari Retreat opens after 18 months, maximum visitors 300

Amritsar, September 17

Following relaxation in Covid curbs, the BSF has allowed 300 spectators to witness the traditional Beating the Retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post (JCP). The joint parade, which would attract thousands of spectators every evening, had been on a prolonged hiatus as India and Pakistan had shut their borders to curb the virus spread.

A BSF official said visitors would be allowed on first-come-first-serve basis. They would have to procure passes from the BSF’s headquarters at Khasa. The Retreat is held at 5.30 pm every day.

A special window has been opened from where visitors can get the passes after furnishing their details. A notice board has been placed near the window which carries detailed information on Covid guidelines to be followed.

The Union Health Ministry had suspended the entry of spectators at Attari, Hussainiwala (Ferozepur) and Sadiqi (Fazilka) borders on March 7 last year.

Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, said the Retreat ceremony with full capacity of 25,000-30,000 could not be allowed with curbs still in place. “There are no specific orders for the ceremony. We have forwarded to the BSF the general SOPs capping outdoor gatherings at 300,” he said.