In the wake of escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, the government here suspended operations of the Samjhauta Express on Thursday.
The Samjhauta Express is a biweekly train which runs from Lahore to Attari on every Monday and Thursday.
“The decision to suspend the train service was taken to avert any untoward incident in light of heightened security concerns,” said Additional General Manager of the Pakistan Railways.
The train was scheduled to depart from Pakistan at 8am with 16 passengers on Thursday.
Citing authorities of the Pakistan Railways, Pakistani channel DawnNewsTV claimed that the Samjhauta Express between Pakistan and India has been suspended until further notice.
Meanwhile, the Indian government on Wednesday said the train service will run on schedule despite mounting tensions between India and Pakistan.
The Railways added that the train departed on time from New Delhi with 27 passengers onboard. “The train running from Delhi to Attari in India left at 11:20 pm Wednesday. There are three Pakistanis and 24 Indian nationals aboard the train,” Northern Railway said.
The Samjhauta Express comprises six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach.
The train service was started on July 22, 1976 under the Shimla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations. (UNI)
Pakistan suspends Samjhauta Express
