Samjhauta Express closure rumour in Pakistan worries visitors

The cross-border Samjhauta Express train continues to connect India and Pakistan amid escalated tension after the Uri terror attack and in spite of all rumours on Pakistani television.

The 150 passengers who arrived from the other side on Monday had heard on a Pakistani news channel that the train had been shut. Their worries turned to relief when they reached Attari and got to know that their passage to India and Indian relatives was still open.

“The news flash on Sunday got us disturbed, as most of our relatives are in India. Thankfully, it was false alarm,” Rabia, who had come from Lahore to meet her uncle in Delhi, said. “This is common man’s train and should never stop. I am travelling with my family. There is no fear among common people after the escalated tension. We want peace.”

Mohamdad Khalid of Multan, also Delhi-bound, said: “The news on TVF led to some panic. People don’t want any tension. Already both countries have suffered a lot. It is time we hve normal relations.”

The train runs every Monday and Thursday between Wagah and Attari. “A relative died in Delhi and had this train been suspended, I could not have attended the mourning,” said Nusrat Shaheen of Multan. Most visitors said war was no solution. The Samjhauta Express took 100-odd passengers back to Pakistan.

War bad for border people: Amarinder

Punjab Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh said in Amritsar on Monday that a war between India and Pakistan will only lead to suffering for those living near the border on both sides. “But attacks such as Uri need a firm reply.”

In an informal chat with the media after meeting families of the school-bus-accident victims, Amarinder said: “Border people suffer the worst during armed hostilities. That’s why, I insist on limited retaliation.”

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