Amritsar, April 2 (IANS) Uncertainty prevails over the India-Pakistan peace bus being allowed to enter Pakistani territory Friday by authorities in that country in the wake of the recent terrorist strikes near Lahore.
The Amritsar-Lahore 'Punjab-Aab' bus will leave this city for its journey till Lahore city in Pakistan, 55 km from here, Friday.
On Wednesday, Pakistani security authorities did not allow the 'Sada-e-Sarhad' Delhi-Lahore bus to cross into their territory.
The bus was stopped at 'Zero line' at the Attari-Wagah border between both sides, and passengers were made to alight and cross the border on foot. They were then taken to Lahore in private vehicles.
The Indian bus was asked to return from the border itself.
The move followed the attack on a police training academy at Mawana near Lahore by terrorists last week. The incident took place hardly 12 km from the Attari-Wagah border checkpost between the two countries, 30 km from here.
The Border Security Force (BSF) in India and Pakistan Rangers have beefed up security along the barbed-wire fenced international border following Taliban terrorists coming so close to the international border.
Transport officials at the international bus terminus here said Thursday that the Amritsar-Lahore bus is scheduled to undertake its journey at 9.30 a.m. Friday. They added they had no idea whether Pakistani officials will allow the bus to cross into Pakistan.
The bus service was started two years ago.
Trade of commodities between both countries through the land border has been allowed though truck operators said that delays were being caused due to stringent checking on the Pakistani side.
|
|
Comments:
