12 bodies of Samjhauta blast victims arrive in Wagah

Wagah, Pakistan, Feb 22 (UNI) The bodies of twelve Pakistani victims of the Samjhauta Express blasts arrived at Wagah border here today.

Pakistan's private Geo TV quoted local officials as saying that Indian authorities handed over the bodies to the Pakistan Rangers at the border.

Seven bodies arrived early today and were airlifted to Karachi by a Pakistan Air Force C-130 transport plane. This was followed by the arrival of five more bodies.

''These [five] bodies are to be transported by air and then by road to Karachi and Multan,'' the officials said.

Relatives of the deceased were present when the bodies of their loved ones were handed over to the Pakistan Rangers.

The Indian government has paid Rs 50,000 each to the families of the deceased and were told that the remaining amount would be paid to them through the Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

Officials said four bodies would be transported to Karachi by a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight while the fifth one would be sent to Multan by road.

UNI