Chandigarh, Aug 15 (IANS): Patriotic fervour gripped Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday as they marked the country's Independence Day.

From Gurugram in Haryana to Gurdaspur in Punjab, Independence Day celebrations including cultural programmes were held with the participation of thousands of people.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hoisted the national flag at Gurugram and highlighted the achievements and progress of the state.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh unfurled the national flag in the relatively backward district of Gurdaspur, which borders Pakistan.

The Border Security Force (BSF) hoisted the flag at border outposts in Punjab along the 553-km long International Border with Pakistan.

The tallest tricolour in the country at the Attari border, 30 km from Amritsar, fluttered magnificently.

Reports of similar celebrations came from Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Bathinda, Ferozepur and other places in Punjab.

In Haryana, the celebrations were held in Hisar, Panipat, Sonipat, Karnal, Ambala, Rohtak, Sirsa and other places.

The Independence Day celebrations took place in Chandigarh at the Parade Ground in Sector 17.