The security forces are all set to celebrate the festival of colours. From the colour of bloodshed to the shades of gulal, the forces in the valley are primed to spread colour all around and forget for some time, the barrage of bullets and gunfire.

At a time when Kashmir is reeling under tension over the killing of unarmed protesters by the security forces and the forces facing a lot of flak from all quarters in Kashmir, the festival of Holi is a much needed breather. “It has always been a tradition in BSF to celebrate all festivals together. The forces are under a lot of stress and strain in Kashmir, Holi comes as a respite to all of them,” said Public Relations Officer of BSF, V P Singh.

BSF Kashmir Frontier is, in fact organising celebration of Holi at the BSF training centre at Humhama on 11 March. “All the officers and trainees will gather and we will try to spend some time together,” Singh said. “There will be colours and sweets, we will be try to spread the spirit of Holi,” said Singh.

For the security forces, celebrating festivals away from their families, the things do get nostalgic at times. “We cannot grant leave to every personnel, some of their families do visit us here, but for most of us, it does get homesick,” Singh said. “But it is a home away from home.”

The soldiers in Kashmir often have to face the ire of Kashmiris as is evident from the anger of the unarmed protesters pelting stones on the forces, the festival of Holi is a time to bond with each other. “Since we are away from our families, the officers try to mingle with the trainees. We try to break the shackles and it helps us to bond well,” said Singh.

The sound of bursting teargas shells on the streets of Srinagar will be replaced by the songs and dances by the soldiers to celebrate Holi. “There will be a lot of Hallagulla,” said Singh. Army too has plans to celebrate the festival of colour. “Each unit will enjoy at their own small level,” said the spokesperson of Army in Kashmir, Colonel Rana.

However, for the troops stationed in the mountains at the Line of Control, it is duty as usual. Holi is not going to be any different for them. “They cannot afford to let the guard slip,” said Colonel Rana. “The terrorists will be waiting for a slip so that they can enter India, we have to cautious.” A Tilak (vermillion mark on the forehead) will be the only reminder of Holi for them.