Indian authorities on Thursday requested Pakistan Railways officials not to send the Samjhauta Express train over security concerns because of an ongoing protest by farmers in Indian Punjab.
According to local media, Indian railway officials told their Pakistani counterparts over a special hotline there were fears of an attack on the train service because farmers are protesting in the country.
According to Indian media, several trains were either cancelled or diverted after protesting farmers blocked railway tracks at different places in Indian Punjab on Wednesday. It was the first day of their demonstrations to seek higher compensation for crops from the state government.
Sources in Pakistan Railways told local media that demonstrators are said to be close to the railway track on which the Samjhauta Express will travel, raising fears of an attack on the train.
The stationmaster at Wagah confirmed local media that the train has been stopped at the station in light of the security concerns. I t had 215 passengers on board. He said that Indian officials had not yet given clearance to allow the train to travel to India.
The train will depart as soon as security clearance is received from India, he added.
