Suchetgarh (R S Pura): Post ceasefire agreement between two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, guns have fallen silent and almost a month after the consensus, the scene along the border was completely different.
At the Octroi post here, tourists ‘out of craze’, often visit to witness the border especially when it is of India and Pakistan and at zero-line, after ceasefire agreement, harmony and friendship is being shared between the forces of two countries guarding their frontlines.
At the site, BSF troops and Pakistani Rangers were not training guns at each other but sharing peace in a cordial atmosphere after India and Pakistan agreed for the revival of 2003 ceasefire agreement.
According to a joint statement released on February 25, “both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021.”
The visitors were seen clicking pictures with border guards on this side vis-a-vis enquiring the well being of Pakistani Rangers around by shouting loudly from own side of the barrier.
However, both BSF men and Pakistani Rangers, were laced with modern weaponry, but still seen sharing a comfort zone, which was not visible earlier.
“Being a local, we often visit this place with our kids to spend a day especially on weekends but this time, the scene at the zero-line was completely amazing,” expressed a man at Octroi Post.
He said, “I was happy to see the men in uniform from both sides were sharing moments with smiles on their faces and both the countries are no more adversaries but instead living in a cordial atmosphere.”
Teja Singh, a Tonga operator said, “government should give special focus to border tourism and if peace prevails, this spot must be developed on the pattern of Wagah Border and be brought on tourism map, so that large tourists visit to this place and carry a message of Indo-Pak peace across the country.”
He however, appealed to the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu to further focus on intensifying and strengthening infrastructure at Suchetgarh so that tourists visiting here get additional and upgraded facilities.
The then Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, K K Sharma, in May last year, during his visit to Suchetgarh in R S Pura Sector advocated for promoting it on the pattern of Wagah Border in Amritsar.