"Pakistan should ponder as to how long this atmosphere of terror ('dehshat gardi ki mahol') will continue. I want to ask Pakistan, how long do you want to keep the border red with terrorism? It must come to an end," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said at a BSF function at Attari. Remembering the statement by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Singh said one can change his or her friend but not neighbours and that is why the NDA government wanted friendly relations with Pakistan.

"Vajpayee had offered the hand of friendship to Pakistan. He not only wanted friendly relations with Pakistan but heart-to-heart relations between the people of the two countries. "But what did we get in return? Kargil war," he said. The home minister said India won that war and wants to move forward and make friendship with Pakistan "but, so far, we have not been able to achieve what we want".

Home minister has laid the foundation stone for a new viewers' gallery at Attari, the border post with Pakistan. The Attari-Wagah Joint Check Post is famous for the beating the retreat ceremony held jointly every day by BSF and Pakistan Rangers. The new-look gallery, with an increased seating capacity and additional facilities for tourists, will be constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

By Premji