Pakistan restores Samjhauta Express services to Delhi

Pakistan on Monday restored the Samjhauta Express servicesbetween Lahore and Delhi, days after the train was suspended due to tensebilateral ties in the wake of the Pulwama attack and the subsequent aerialengagement between the air forces of the two countries.

The train service was started on July 22, 1976 under theShimla Agreement that settled the 1971 war between the two nations.

   

The train departs on every Monday and Thursday from Lahore.

The Samjhauta Express carrying some 150 passengers leftLahore railway station for India, Radio Pakistan reported.

In New Delhi, Railways officials announced on Saturday thatthe two countries have agreed to operationalise services at their ends. Indiacancelled the operations on February 28.

The train operates from Delhi on every Wednesday and Sunday.

Pakistani authorities suspended the train service onFebruary 28.

The footfall of the train, which generally records anoccupancy of around 70 per cent, had fallen drastically post the Pulwama attackin which 40 CRPF soldiers were killed.

Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan in the wake ofthe Pulwama attack by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out anoperation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep insidePakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan retaliated.

The Samjhauta Express, named after the Hindi word for”agreement”, comprises six sleeper coaches and an AC 3-tier coach.

On the Indian side, the train runs from Delhi to Attari andfrom Lahore to Wagah on the Pakistan side.

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