Pakistan has temporarily suspended the Samjhauta Express train that runs between India and Pakistan In view of the ongoing bilateral tensions.
A press statement by the Foreign Office (FO) said that operations will resume "as soon as the security situation improves between India and Pakistan", Dawn reported.
The Samjhauta Express, also known as the Friendship Express, runs twice a week (Monday and Thursday) from Attari to Lahore via the Wagah railway station. On Wednesday, the Pakistan Railways had said the train would depart for Attari at 8am as usual.
The train, which was to leave Lahore for Attari in India early on Thursday, was cancelled and did not arrive here, security officials in India said.
Passengers who were to travel to India were told they could seek a refund for their booked tickets.
On Wednesday, Indian Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said the Samjhauta Express service will continue as per schedule from Delhi to Attari in Punjab.
Security arrangements across Pakistan have been tightened in light of tensions between the two neighbouring countries. Flight operations have also been suspended and Pakistani airspace was closed to commercial flights on Wednesday.
Tensions between the two neighbours escalated after Indian fighter jets bombed a training camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) undertook strikes across the Line of Control, following which both sides were involved in an aerial engagement. An Indian aircraft that crossed the LoC was shot down by the PAF and an Indian pilot taken into custody.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has declared “high alert” and convened a special meeting of the cabinet on Thursday in the backdrop of the volatile situation.
Bacha Khan International Airport was closed down for commercial flights.
(With agency inputs)
