New Delhi: The Indian Railways has issued a security alert across its network in view of the escalating tension with Pakistan, a senior official of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) said Wednesday.
Officials also informed that the ‘Samjhauta Express’ will continue to run as per schedule from Delhi to Attari in India, amidst reports that Pakistan has suspended its operations between Wagah to Lahore on its side
Security has been beefed up on board all trains operating in border areas and on railway premises, he said.
“We have issued an alert to all general managers of zones in view of the prevailing security scenario. All trains to the mainland and valley in Jammu and Kashmir have additional security personnel on board. We have also identified specific targets related to Railways and have beefed up security there,” RPF DG, Arun Kumar told this agency. He added that none of the trains to Jammu and Kashmir from different parts of India have been cancelled so far.
In a separate development, Northern Railway spokesperson Deepak Kumar said that there has no change in schedule of the operations of the ‘Samjhauta Express’. “The train will run as per schedule as of now,” Kumar said.
Sources however said that footfall which is usually 70% in the train has fallen drastically since the Pulwama attack. Wednesday it will leave with only 26 passengers board – four in AC coach and 22 in non-AC coaches. The train has one AC-3 tier coach and six non-AC coaches. The train does not have any commercial stops between Delhi and Attari.
PTI