Samjhauta Express to restart tonight; 2 days after Bhutto's murder

New Delhi, Dec 30 (UNI) The Bi-weekly Indo-Pak Samjhauta Express, today resumed its service, two days after it was suspended due to security concerns following the assassination of former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto.

The railway ministry today decided to restore the bi-weekly Samjhauta Express after taking into account the improved security in Pakistan.

Earlier on Friday, the Ministry had announced the suspension of operation of Samjhauta Express and Thar Express, both connecting India and Pakistan on account of ''security considerations'' in the wake of Bhutto's assassination in Rawalpindi on December 27.

A ministry official said the decision to restore the service of the Samjhauta Express was taken following consultations with the External Affairs Ministry and the Home Ministry.

The Pakistan railways had also requested the Indian Government to restore Samjhauta Express, which is a vital rail link between the two countries. '' Taking into account the overall security situation in Pakistan, it has been decided to restore the Samjhauta Express with immediate effect. Accordingly, the train would leave tonight at 2250 hrs'', the official said.

The biweekly train operates on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The official, however, said no decision had been taken to restore the Thar Express plying between Munnabhao in Rajasthan and Khokrapar in Pakistan's Sind province.

''We have not taken any decisions on whether the train could resume its journey next Saturday also. We are reviewing the situation and the decision would be taken accordingly,'' the official added.

The service of the weekly Thar Express had been put off yesterday following the Pakistan Railway Board's inability to run the train from their terminal.

UNI