Kashmir Issue: India cancels Samjhauta Express service days after Pakistan stopped its operation
New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 11 (IBNS): In a tit-for-tat move, the Indian government on Sunday cancelled the Samjhauta Express, just days after Pakistan closed its operation, in retaliation to several measures taken by PM Narendra Modi-led government in Kashmir last week.
"In consequent to Pakistan's decision to cancel Samjahuta Express 14607/14608 running between Lahore and Atari, the link express train number 14001/14002 running between Delhi and Attari also stands cancelled," said Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Deepak Kumar in a statement.
Pakistan last week stopped operating the Samjhauta Express and the Thar Express trains, the two international trains which connected the nuclear-armed neighbours, amid growing tension over the Kashmir issue.
Pakistan also severed trade ties and expelled Indian envoy in Islamabad following India's Kashmir move.
The Bharatiya Janata arty (BJP) government on Monday took away the special status of Jammu and Kashmir by scrapping Articles 370 and 35A.
The government bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir with an assembly and Ladakh without an assembly.
Article 35A of the Indian Constitution allowed the Jammu and Kashmir state's legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and also provided special rights and privileges to those permanent residents.
Article 370 allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag and right to handle its own laws except on matters that impact national security.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Police said the situation in Kashmir remained 'normal' on Sunday.
The situation in the state has remained normal so far. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere so far.@KashmirPolice @igpjmu
— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) August 11, 2019
"The situation in the state has remained normal so far. No untoward incident has been reported from anywhere so far. @KashmirPolice @igpjmu," police tweeted.
The state is gearing up to celebrate Eid festival on Monday.
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