India, Pak suspend border ceremony for three days following blast

At least 50 persons were killed in the attack on the Pakistani side that was carried out by the Pakistani Taliban

Inspector General of paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) Ashok Kumar said on Monday that the daily joint retreat ceremony on both sides of the Wagah border will remain suspended for three days as a mark of respect to those killed in a suicide bomb attack on the Pakistan side.

"At least 50 people were killed and over 70 injured on Sunday when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Pakistani-Indian border, just after a daily ceremony when troops from both sides simultaneously lower the two nations' flags," police said.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was a response to the Pakistani army's actions against their positions in tribal areas straddling Pakistan's border with Afghanistan.

The suicide bombing took place in a car park on the Pakistani side at least 500 meters from the border with India. No troops  or civilians from the Indian side were hurt in the attack.

Kumar said the decision was taken after a commander level flag meeting on Sunday night between the two sides.

"Yesterday night, we spoke to them during a basic company commander-level flag meeting. After the meeting, it was decided that the joint retreat ceremony at the Wagah border will not take place for three days," said Kumar.

Hundreds of people visit the Wagah border crossing near the Pakistani city of Lahore every day to witness the flags of both countries being lowered just before sunset.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars and remain locked in a bitter conflict over the region of Kashmir, which both sides claim.

India accuses Pakistan of sponsoring jihadist groups in the region and encouraging them to make inroads into Indian territory to stage attacks against Indian forces, a charge Pakistan denies.

But the Taliban claim of responsibility suggested the suicide bombing had nothing to do with India.

Kumar added that they were prepared for any threat.

"The BSF is ready for any threat and we are alert from our side," Kumar added.

"Any explosion on the India-Pakistan border is far more serious than a similar event on the Pakistan-Afghan border," an Indian security official said.