Mahesh Bhatt, Kuldip Nayar to light peace candles at Wagah

CHANDIGARH - Bollwood film producer Mahesh Bhatt, noted journalist-writer Kuldeep Nayar and many social activists will light peace candles at the Attari-Wagah border and exchange sweets with people from the Pakistani side Saturday night. The Border Security Force (BSF) has made elaborate security arrangements at the border post, an official said.

The BSF said it will beef up security at the Attari-Wagah joint land border checkpost between India and Pakistan to ensure smooth Independence Day celebrations there Saturday midnight.

“We have made fool-proof security arrangements and also increased the patrolling in the wake of Independence Day celebrations,” BSF Deputy Inspector General (intelligence) and official spokesperson Pankaj told IANS.

“Prominent personalities like Mahesh Bhatt and Kuldeep Nayar will go the border at around 11.45 p.m. We expect 40-50 people to accompany them,” he said.

“They will light candles on the border, exchange sweets and words with people, who will come on the other side of the border. Today (Saturday) is Pakistan’s independence day so the Pakistani Rangers have also sent sweets for us,” he said.

Mahesh Bhatt and Kuldeep Nayar have been lighting peace candles at the border on every Independence Day for the last few years.

The BSF guards the nearly 553-km long fenced international border in Punjab.