Figure 15 Analysis of The Wagah- Attari Border complex site plan

The Grand Trunk Road, known as "The Border of Multiplicities," was built around 2500 years ago and passes through the Wagah Attari crossing point. It was once used to connect eastern India to Central Asia and as far away as Ancient Greece. It was one of Asia's earliest and longest roads, transporting goods, people, and culture. It now runs from Chittagong (Bangladesh) in the east to Kabul (Afghanistan) in the west, passing through Delhi (India) and Islamabad (Pakistan).(Sibi n.d.)

Brigadier Mahindra Singh Chopra (India) and Brigadier Nazir Ahmad (Pakistan), who were friends and previously belonged to the same ballation under the British Raj, established the first demarcation on this road. On October 11, 1947, a few hastily whitewashed drums and stone rubble were erected along the berms of the Grand Trunk Road to mark the new international border. This crossing point is also significant because it houses the only Integrated Checkpoint that allows land route trade between India and Pakistan (Land Ports Authority India). It also serves as the only land crossing point for diplomats and citizens with family members on both sides of the border. Other citizens of the country are not permitted to travel to the other, except for international sporting events or members of the media industry. During the war, the WagahAttari border saw a significant number of prisoners of war exchanges (from India to Pakistan), as well as the transfer of people who had entered either country illegally. The most notable in recent memory is Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's return (from Pakistan to

India).

Figure 15 Analysis of The Wagah- Attari Border complex site plan