india

Updated: Oct 06, 2014 17:24 IST

India and Pakistan did not exchange sweets along the Wagah border in Punjab on the occasion of Eid on Monday after the Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire along the international border in Jammu district killing five civilians and injuring 29.

In one of the worst ceasefire violations, Pakistani Rangers resorted to firing and shelling of mortars on 10 border outposts and civilian areas along the international border in Arnia belt of Jammu district on Sunday night.

Read: India asks Pak to stop ceasefire violations at the border

During a late evening flag meeting between the sector commanders of the Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers on Sunday, the Rangers refused to fix any time for the ceremony to be held on Monday, PTI quoted unnamed official sources as saying.

"The Pakistan side refused the exchange of sweets on Eid today. They cited no reasons but it is understood that the prevailing tension along Jammu and Kashmir border due to unprovoked firing incidents from the other side is the reason," the sources said.

The BSF too did not make any movement along the Wagah border and the border gates remained shut on Monday.

The exchange of sweets between the border guarding troops of the two countries is an old and traditional gesture which is aimed to show goodwill. The same drill is held during Diwali and Independence day of both the countries.

Senior commanders from both the sides exchange sweets in their official uniforms along the Wagah land border which is also frequented by locals and tourists from both sides.

PTI also reported that the evening retreat and lowering of flag ceremony is expected to take place as scheduled.