The flag lowering ceremony at the village of Wagah is held each evening immediately before sunset by the border agents of Pakistan ( Pakistan Rangers ) and India ( Border Security Force or BSF ) . It is a tradition dating back to 1959 . The ceremony begins with battle calls from both sides in the form of loud screaming done by the border guards . This is followed by a series of organized high kicks , stomps , and dance moves during which the opposing forces stare each other down . The event ends with a handshake of good faith being exchanged by the head guards along with the lowering of the flags . The crowd cheers and claps enthusiastically through it all . The ritual is known to attract international tourists and even celebrities . It is symbolic of the brotherhood as well as the rivalry that these two nations share . The border troops are known to exchange sweets with the opposing side during the Muslim holidays of Eid and Hindu holiday of Diwali , but in 2016 and 2018 the BSF have avoided doing so due to rising military tensions . It has been a peaceful gathering with the exception of the 2014 Wagah border suicide attack in which 60 people were killed and over 110 people were left injured . It has also been cancelled on occasion such as when Pakistan returned Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman back to India after his plane was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force ( PAF ) during the 2019 India-Pakistan standoff
2014 Wagah border suicide attack
2014 Wagah border suicide attack
India–Pakistan border