It has been a week since India stripped Article 370 and brought in a bill to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. However, troubled Pakistan has not been able to digest the setback yet.
The traditional display of bonhomie between Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers, border guarding forces of India and Pakistan respectively, was missing on Monday at Attari-Wagah border after Pakistan Rangers declined to receive sweets and exchange greetings with BSF to mark the religious occasion of Eid.
BSF’s deputy inspector general, BS Rawat was quoted as saying, “Pak Rangers conveyed us that they will not receive sweets or exchange greetings on the occasion of Eid.”
Personnel of the border guarding forces have traditionally exchanged sweets on religious and national festivals of the two countries, however, there have been various occasions in the past when this tradition has been dithered.
In June last year, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, BSF had refused to accept sweets and exchange greetings with Pak Rangers in protest against the killing of four BSF personnel including an assistant commandant rank officer by Pakistani Rangers along the international border in Jammu’s Ramgarh sector. Before this BSF had refused to follow the border tradition on January 26, 2018, the Republic Day due to continuous violation of ceasefire by Pakistan.
However, this time the refusal has come from Pakistan, which seems to be completely rattled after the abrogation of Article 370. India’s decision to repeal Article 370 and bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories, left Pakistan completely unnerved with it’s Prime Minister Imran Khan calling a special session of parliament and launching an all-out campaign against India at all possible levels.
Besides threatening India by saying that “incidents like Pulwama are bound to happen again” Imran Khan had in a National Security Council meeting decided to severe trade between the two countries, downgrading bilateral diplomatic ties with India. The Wagah border was also closed and bus services were suspended by Pakistan.
Pakistan has decided to declare August 15 (India’s Independence Day) as ‘Black Day’ to protest against the action taken by India vis-a-vis Jammu and Kashmir. Along with these, they also expelled Indian envoy to Pakistan.
Along with this, Pakistan PM also directed the diplomats to open all channels to propagate their anti-India narrative. Spooked by India’s grit, Pakistan had also closed down its airspace for India-bound flights and flights operating from India.
Amongst the series of ineffectual decisions taken to protest against India’s audacious move of abrogating the provisions of Article 370 and bifurcating the state into two union territories, Pakistan had also announced that it will permanently discontinue Samjhauta Express train services.
