News Desk |
The operation of Samjhota Express running between India and Pakistan has been suspended for an indefinite time period in the wake of ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries on LoC Kashmir.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the operations will resume “as soon as the security situation improves between India and Pakistan”.
The Samjhota Express runs twice weekly between Lahore to Attari via Wagah Railway Station on Monday and Thursday. Yesterday, the Pakistan Railways had said that the train would depart for Attari at 8 am as usual. Last week the train had carried a total of 45 passengers to India.
The suspended flight operations in Pakistan is expected to resume from March 1st, 2019. As of February 28, airports across the country have been sealed and no one is allowed in until the airspace ban is lifted.
The suspension of train service came the day after Pakistan shot down 2 Indian Air Force jets that were spotted intruding into the airspace of Pakistan in a second attempt on Wednesday morning.
Railway Officials stated that the passengers were asked to return to their home as they reached the station this morning. According to the Additional General Manager Pakistan Railways Zubair Shafi the decision was a part of tightening security arrangements that were taken to avert any untoward situation in the wake of escalating tensions.
Similarly, the Government of Pakistan had closed off the airspace of Pakistan for commercial international and domestic flight yesterday evening partially in Punjab and later in the night it was extended to the entire country as fear of airstrikes heightened between India and Pakistan after Pakistan Air Force foiled the second attempt of violation on Line of Control Kashmir.
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The suspended flight operations in Pakistan is expected to resume from March 1st, 2019. As of February 28, airports across the country have been sealed and no one is allowed in until the airspace ban is lifted. The entire motorway is operational as opposed to the rumours. Few patches were closed due to fog.