Pilot return: Retreat ceremony barred for visitors

The much-glorified retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagha border in Punjab has been forbidden for the public for today in wake of the safe arrival of captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

The air force officer was expected to reach the border at around 4 pm today but Amritsar DCP later informed that the exact time of the arrival has not been confirmed.

The decision to forbid visitors was taken for safety reasons and to avoid any overflow of passion by people who would have gathered on either side of the border. The government wanted to rule out any adverse sloganeering from the Pakistani side when wing commander Abhinandan would reach the Wagha border on the Pakistani side.

A large number of visitors had gathered at the border for the ceremony and had expected to have a glimpse of the brave air force pilot. They were left dejected. The officer will be received by a team of senior Air Force officials from the Air Headquarters in New Delhi. The team is on its way to the Attari-Wagha border, an official said.