New Delhi, August 11: Days after Pakistan suspended the Lahore-Delhi Samjhauta Express train services as a mark of protest against abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian government reciprocated the measure by cancelling the bi-weekly train between Delhi and Attari.
A statement issued by the Indian Railways said the train services would not be resumed until further orders. This comes two days after Islamabad unilaterally ended operations of Samjhauta Express as well as the Thar Express, which ran between Karachi and Khokhrapar. Samjhauta Express Arrives in Delhi After Pakistan Announces Suspension
"Inconsequent to Pakistan's decision to cancel Samjhauta Express 14607/14608 running between Lahore and Attari, the Samjhauta Link Express train number 14001/14002 running between Delhi and Attari also stands cancelled," the Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway said.
Update by ANI:
Northern Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO): Inconsequent to Pakistan's decision to cancel Samjhauta Express 14607/14608 running between Lahore and Attari, the Samjhauta Link Express train number 14001/14002 running between Delhi and Attari also stands cancelled pic.twitter.com/frtB4htbg5
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2019
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi justified the move taken by his government, saying that conditions cannot remain normal with India in the wake of the "unilateral actions" being taken by New Delhi in Jammu & Kashmir.
In addition to suspension of train services, Islamabad has also "downgraded" bilateral ties with India, and asked New Delhi's envoy to leave the nation. Meanwhile, the Pakistani ambassador in India has also been recalled.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2019 06:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).