Delhi-Lahore bus leaves for Pak amid tight security

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) Unfazed by the horrendous Samjhauta Express blasts which claimed more than 65 lives, a full capacity 'Sada-e-Sarhad' Delhi-Lahore bus with 46 passengers on board departed for its destination amid tight security this morning.

No cancellation was made by any of the 46 passengers who had booked their tickets well in advance, said a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) official.

''Despite the blasts yesterday, no attempt was even made by any of the passengers to get their bookings cancelled,'' he added.

This was testimony to the grit of the spirit with which people travel across he border, the official added.

As the 46-seater bus left the Ambedkar Bus Terminal in Central Delhi at 0600 hrs, in all 12 policemen escorted it, carrying 29 Pakistani nationals and 17 Indians.

Most of the passengers sounded positive on the journey with one saying, ''jana hai to jana hai, dar kaisa (where does the question of fear come if one has to go).'' No special security arrangements were made in the light of yesterday's blasts on the trans-border Samjhauta Express, said the Delhi Police spokesman while adding that ''we merely sensitised those on escort duty about the situation''.

The 'Sada-e-Sarhad' Delhi to Lahore bus service leaves Delhi every Tuesday and Friday. It was re-started on July 11, 2003.

The service, which was launched amid much fanfare during 1999, was suspended after the 2001 Parliament attack.

UNI