Chandigarh, Jan 26 (IANS): The 68th Republic Day was celebrated on Thursday across Punjab and Haryana despite rain in some parts of both states.

Chandigarh and its surrounding areas were experiencing rain since Wednesday evening which continued on Thursday morning.

With Punjab in full election mode for the February 4 assembly polls, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal unfurled the national flag in Mohali, adjoining Chandigarh, in rain.

Badal recounted the sacrifice of people from Punjab in India's freedom struggle which led to the Independence of the country, which became a republic in 1950.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal hoisted the flag in Jalandhar city, 160 km from here.

Border Security Force (BSF) troopers celebrated the Republic Day by hoisting the national flag at various locations along the India-Pakistan international border.

The main events were held at Attari, 30 km from Amritsar, and Hussainiwala border in Ferozepur district.