Transport between India and Pakistan - Revision history

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'''Transport between India and Pakistan''' has been developed for tourism and commercial purposes and bears much historical and political significance for both countries, which have possessed few transport links since the [[partition of India]] in 1947. In 2019, all public transport links between the two countries were severed because of Pakistani fury at India's revocation of special status for Kashmir. The only way for travelers to make this journey is to cross on foot at [[Wagah]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-pakistan-bus-idUSKCN1V00FB|title=Pakistan cuts last remaining transport link to India over Kashmir dispute|date=2019-08-10|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-01-20|language=en}}</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Trucks on NH1, waiting to cross Wagah border.jpg|220px|thumb|Trucks on [[National Highway 1 (India)]], waiting to cross [[Wagah Border]]]]

The [[partition of India]] in 1947 led to the termination of most transport links between the newly independent nations of India and Pakistan after the cross-migration of people was completed by the 1950s. The [[First Kashmir War]] had similarly divided the [[Himalaya]]n region of [[Kashmir]] between the two rivals, causing termination of road links in the region. Kashmir and the international border in the divided region of [[Punjab region|Punjab]] were major [[Theater (warfare)|theatres of war]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani Wars]] of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965]] and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|1971]]. The train connecting the Indian city of [[Jaipur]] with the Pakistani city of [[Karachi]] across the [[Thar Desert]] was destroyed when the [[Pakistani Air Force]] bombed the tracks during the 1965 war.
<ref name="TE">{{cite web |title=Thar Express brings India, Pakistan closer |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/02/19/stories/2006021914640100.htm |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=2006-02-19 |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> In the 1990s, the [[Line of Control]] (LoC) demarcating the informal boundary between [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] was the scene of exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Indian forces and [[Espionage|infiltration]] of [[Terrorism in Kashmir|militants]] into Indian Kashmir. The [[Kargil War]] of 1999 broke out when Indian force sought to repel militants and Pakistani soldiers who had infiltrated across the LoC.

By the 1970s it was possible for foreigners with the appropriate visas for each country, such as those traveling the [[Hippie Trail]] from [[Europe]] to [[Nepal]], to walk across the border, stepping between the guards facing each other across the line.

In 1977, both nations launched the [[Samjhauta Express]] connecting the Indian city of [[Attari]] with the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]]. Since the successful launch of the [[Delhi-Lahore Bus]] in 1999, both nations have worked to established multiple bus and train services connecting cities across the borders in the [[Punjab region]] and [[Sindh]] as well as between [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] across the [[Line of Control]] (LoC){{spaced ndash}}the boundary line denoting rival areas of control in the [[Kashmir conflict|disputed region of Kashmir]], which is not an official [[international border]].<ref name="H">{{cite web |title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link |url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050219034041/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2005-02-19 |date=2005-02-17 |work=[[The Hindu]] |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref><ref name="I">{{cite web |title=Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be weekly |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com |date=2005-04-25 |accessdate=2008-06-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024160547/http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html |archivedate=2008-10-24 }}</ref>
<ref name="I2">{{cite web |title=PM flags off Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7 |url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html |publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com |date=2005-03-12 |accessdate=2008-06-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720030723/http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html |archivedate=2008-07-20 }}</ref>
India and Pakistan have no official trade relations due to ongoing tensions.

==Bus service==
The [[Delhi-Lahore Bus]] is a passenger [[bus]] service connecting the [[India]]n capital of [[Delhi]] with the city of [[Lahore]], [[Pakistan]] via the border transit post at [[Wagah]], which is the only border crossing point between India and Pakistan opened for international travelers. The bus was of symbolic importance to the efforts of the governments of both nations to foster peaceful and friendly relations.<ref name="DLB">{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/19990313/ige13109.html|title=Delhi-Lahore bus service to start on March 16|date=13 March 1999|work=expressindia.com|accessdate=2008-04-21|publisher=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> In its inaugural run on 19 February 1999, the bus carried the then-[[Indian Prime Minister]] [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]], who was to attend a summit in Lahore and was received by his Pakistani counterpart, [[Nawaz Sharif]] at Wagah.<ref name="DLB"/><ref name="RD">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/feb/20samblast2.htm|title=Delhi-Lahore bus leaves for Pak|date=20 February 2007|work=[[rediff.com]]|publisher=Rediff.com India limited|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> Its official name is the ''Sada-e-Sarhad'' ([[Urdu language|Urdu]] for ''Call of the Frontier'').<ref name="RD"/> The duration of the entire journey is eight hours, covering a distance of 530 km (329 mi).<ref name="DTC">{{cite web|url=http://dtc.nic.in/lahorebus.htm|title=DTC's Delhi-Lahore-Delhi Bus Service|publisher=[[Delhi Transport Corporation]]|accessdate=2008-04-21}}</ref> While the bus service had continued to run during the Kargil War of 1999, it was suspended in the aftermath of the [[2001 Indian Parliament attack]] on 13 December 2001, which the Indian government accused Pakistan of instigating.<ref name="G">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/dec/15/india.kashmir|title=India's shame|author=Arundhati Roy|date=15 December 2006|work=guardian.co.uk|publisher=Guardian News and Media Limited|accessdate=2008-04-21|author-link=Arundhati Roy}}</ref> The bus service was resumed on 16 July 2003 when bilateral relations had improved.<ref name="RD"/> This service was suspended in 2019, as a result of Pakistani fury at the [[Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019|revocation of Kashmir's special status]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-pakistan-bus-idUSKCN1V00FB|title=Pakistan cuts last remaining transport link to India over Kashmir dispute|date=2019-08-10|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-01-20|language=en}}</ref>

==Train services==
As per the [[Shimla Agreement]] of 1972 and in a bid to restore peaceful ties after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], both nations launched the [[Samjhauta Express]] (''Samjhauta'' means "accord" or "compromise" in [[Hindi language|Hindi]] and [[Urdu language|Urdu]]), connecting the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]] with the Indian town of [[Attari]], which is close proximity to the city of [[Amritsar]].<ref name="SE">{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000416/ina16011.html|title=Samjhauta only between Attari and Wagah|date=2000-04-16|publisher=[[United News of India]]|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> The [[Thar Express]] was launched to connect the Pakistani city of [[Karachi]] through the [[Khokhrapar]] station and the Indian city of [[Jodhpur]] through the [[Munabao]] station.<ref name="TE"/> Plans and negotiations are underway to launch a train service connecting the Pakistani city of [[Sialkot]] with the Indian city of [[Jammu]].

On 18 February 2007, 2 carriages of the train experienced alleged terrorist bombings near [[Panipat]], [[Haryana]] in India. The [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]] claimed lives of 68 people.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|title=Dozens dead in India train blast|work=[[BBC News]]|date=2007-02-19|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6374377.stm|accessdate=2007-02-19}}</ref> Both the Indian and Pakistani governments condemned the attack, and officials on both sides speculated that the perpetrators intended to disrupt improving relations between the two nations, There have been a number of breaks in the investigation of the bombings. As of 2011, nobody has been charged for the crime yet. It has been allegedly linked to Abhinav Bharat, a Hindu fundamentalist group in India. Other allegations also concurred on Lashkar-e-Taiba (a Pakistani-based terrorist organization).<ref>{{cite news|publisher=DNA India|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links_1463614|title=US review finds five warnings of Headley’s militant links|date=8 November 2010|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215025707/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links-1463614|archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref> A United States report declared Arif Qasmani to be involved in the attack.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=indian express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/us-sanctions-pak-lashkar-man-cites-his-samjhauta-blast-link/484480/|title=US sanctions Pak Lashkar man, cites his Samjhauta blast link|date=3 July 2009|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610070142/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/us-sanctions-pak-lashkar-man-cites-his-samjhauta-blast-link/484480/|archivedate=10 June 2016}}</ref>
The [[Thar Express]] is the other passenger railway link between the two countries, running from [[Karachi]], Pakistan to [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan, India. It was not discontinued after [[Partition of India|Partition]] but was after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. On 18 February 2006, it was revived after a period of 41 years.

In 2019, as a result of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019|revocation of special status for Kashmir]], Pakistan's railway minister [[Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad|Sheikh Rasheed]] decreed that there would be no more rail transport links between India and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-pakistan-rail-idUSKCN1UZ0XV|title=Pakistan suspends final rail link to India over Kashmir dispute|date=2019-08-09|work=Reuters|access-date=2020-01-20|language=en}}</ref>

==Transport across Kashmir==
{{See also|Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus}}
In 2003, after a [[ceasefire]] in Kashmir improved bilateral relations, the two governments worked on the proposal for a bus connecting the city of [[Srinagar]] in [[Indian Kashmir]] to the city of [[Muzaffarabad]] in [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir|Pakistani Kashmir]].<ref name="H"/> The official agreement was promulgated on 16 February 2005 when the then-[[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Indian Minister of External Affairs]] [[K. Natwar Singh]] visited [[Pakistani President]] [[Pervez Musharaff]] in [[Rawalpindi]], Pakistan.<ref name="H"/> The decision was announced along with agreements on establishing the Thar Express train service. The bus runs a distance of 183 kilometres and was officially launched on 7 April 2005 and was flagged-off by the [[Indian Prime Minister]] Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]].<ref name="H"/><ref name="I2"/> The service was suspended for some time after [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]] due to aftereffect of road damage.

A bus service connecting [[Poonch (town)|Poonch]] (India) with [[Rawalkote]] (Pakistan) over 55 km was also launched on 20 June 2006. On 5 June 2008 the passenger quota on the Poonch-Rawalkote Bus was doubled. Bus services connecting Kargil (India) with Skardu (Pakistan), Jammu (India) with Sialkot (Pakistan) and [[Mirpur, Pakistan|Mirpur]] (Pakistan) are also being planned.<ref name="Z">{{cite web |title=Kargil-Skardoo bus service welcomed |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070318/j&k.htm#1 |publisher=Tribune India |date=2007-03-17 |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
<ref name="Y">{{cite web |title=Beyond the bus service |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/apr/27sareen.htm |publisher=[[Rediff.com]] |date=2005-04-27 |accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>

The Indian official position viewed the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as a "humanitarian measure without prejudice" and not affecting the rival policies and stands of the two governments on the Kashmir conflict.<ref name="H"/> To make the bus safe and fully operational, the LoC would demined if and where necessary and other security arrangements would be made as well.<ref name="H"/> Both governments announced that Indian and Pakistani citizens could travel anywhere in Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir, including the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which are part of India's claim on Kashmir and pre-1947 Kashmir.<ref name="H"/> In India, all citizens would have to apply at the Regional Passport Office in Srinagar, which was the designated authority to evaluate applications, verify identities and issue entry permits.<ref name="H"/> As of 25 September 2019 all transport routes have been closed between India and Pakistan after India revoked the article 370 giving special status to Indian administered Kashmir.<ref name="H"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Indo-Pakistani relations}}

[[Category:Transport in India]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:Transport in Pakistan]]
[[Category:International transport in Asia]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 8 December 2022
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	[[File:Trucks on NH1, waiting to cross Wagah border.jpg\|220px\|thumb\|Trucks on [[National Highway 1 (India)]], waiting to cross [[Wagah Border]]]]		[[File:Trucks on NH1, waiting to cross Wagah border.jpg\|220px\|thumb\|Trucks on [[National Highway 1 (India)]], waiting to cross [[Wagah Border]]]]

	The [[partition of India]] in 1947 led to the termination of most transport links between the newly independent nations of India and Pakistan after the cross-migration of people was completed by the 1950s. The [[First Kashmir War]] had similarly divided the [[Himalaya]]n region of [[Kashmir]] between the two rivals, causing termination of road links in the region. Kashmir and the international border in the divided region of [[Punjab region\|Punjab]] were major [[Theater (warfare)\|theatres of war]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani Wars]] of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965\|1965]] and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971\|1971]]. The train connecting the Indian city of [[Jaipur]] with the Pakistani city of [[Karachi]] across the [[Thar Desert]] was destroyed when the [[Pakistani Air Force]] bombed the tracks during the 1965 war.		The [[partition of India]] in 1947 led to the termination of most transport links between the newly independent nations of India and Pakistan after the cross-migration of people was completed by the 1950s. The [[First Kashmir War]] had similarly divided the [[Himalaya]]n region of [[Kashmir]] between the two rivals, causing the termination of road links in the region. Kashmir and the international border in the divided region of [[Punjab region\|Punjab]] were major [[Theater (warfare)\|theatres of war]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani Wars]] of [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965\|1965]] and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971\|1971]]. The train connecting the Indian city of [[Jaipur]] with the Pakistani city of [[Karachi]] across the [[Thar Desert]] was destroyed when the [[Pakistani Air Force]] bombed the tracks during the 1965 war.
	<ref name="TE">{{cite web \|title=Thar Express brings India, Pakistan closer \|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/02/19/stories/2006021914640100.htm \|publisher=[[The Hindu]] \|date=2006-02-19 \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> In the 1990s, the [[Line of Control]] (LoC) demarcating the informal boundary between [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] was the scene of exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Indian forces and [[Espionage\|infiltration]] of [[Terrorism in Kashmir\|militants]] into Indian Kashmir. The [[Kargil War]] of 1999 broke out when Indian ~~force~~ sought to repel militants and Pakistani soldiers who had infiltrated ~~across~~ the LoC.		<ref name="TE">{{cite web \|title=Thar Express brings India, Pakistan closer \|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/02/19/stories/2006021914640100.htm \|publisher=[[The Hindu]] \|date=2006-02-19 \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref> In the 1990s, the [[Line of Control]] (LoC) demarcating the informal boundary between [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] was the scene of exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Indian forces and [[Espionage\|infiltration]] of [[Terrorism in Kashmir\|militants]] into Indian Kashmir. The [[Kargil War]] of 1999 broke out when Indian forces sought to repel militants and Pakistani soldiers who had infiltrated the LoC.

	By the 1970s it was possible for foreigners with the appropriate visas for each country, such as those traveling the [[Hippie Trail]] from [[Europe]] to [[Nepal]], to walk across the border, stepping between the guards facing each other across the line.		By the 1970s it was possible for foreigners with the appropriate visas for each country, such as those traveling the [[Hippie Trail]] from [[Europe]] to [[Nepal]], to walk across the border, stepping between the guards facing each other across the line.

	In 1977, both nations launched the [[Samjhauta Express]] connecting the Indian city of [[Attari]] with the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]]. Since the successful launch of the [[Delhi-Lahore Bus]] in 1999, both nations have worked to ~~established~~ multiple bus and train services connecting cities across the borders in the [[Punjab region]] and [[Sindh]] as well as between [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] across the [[Line of Control]] (LoC){{spaced ndash}}the boundary line denoting rival areas of control in the [[Kashmir conflict\|disputed region of Kashmir]], which is not an official [[international border]].<ref name="H">{{cite web \|title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link \|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050219034041/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=2005-02-19 \|date=2005-02-17 \|work=[[The Hindu]] \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref><ref name="I">{{cite web \|title=Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be weekly \|url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html \|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com \|date=2005-04-25 \|accessdate=2008-06-17 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024160547/http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html \|archivedate=2008-10-24 }}</ref>		In 1977, both nations launched the [[Samjhauta Express]] connecting the Indian city of [[Attari]] with the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]]. Since the successful launch of the [[Delhi-Lahore Bus]] in 1999, both nations have worked to establish multiple bus and train services connecting cities across the borders in the [[Punjab region]] and [[Sindh]] as well as between [[Indian-administered Kashmir]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]] across the [[Line of Control]] (LoC){{spaced ndash}}the boundary line denoting rival areas of control in the [[Kashmir conflict\|disputed region of Kashmir]], which is not an official [[international border]].<ref name="H">{{cite web \|title=India, Pakistan seal deal on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link \|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050219034041/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/17/stories/2005021706050100.htm \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=2005-02-19 \|date=2005-02-17 \|work=[[The Hindu]] \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref><ref name="I">{{cite web \|title=Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service to be weekly \|url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html \|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com \|date=2005-04-25 \|accessdate=2008-06-17 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024160547/http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/04/25/0804251523_rs-indopak.html \|archivedate=2008-10-24 }}</ref>
	<ref name="I2">{{cite web \|title=PM flags off Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7 \|url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html \|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com \|date=2005-03-12 \|accessdate=2008-06-17 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720030723/http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html \|archivedate=2008-07-20 }}</ref>		<ref name="I2">{{cite web \|title=PM flags off Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service on April 7 \|url=http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html \|publisher=[[Press Trust of India]], Indiainfo.com \|date=2005-03-12 \|accessdate=2008-06-17 \|url-status=dead \|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720030723/http://news.indiainfo.com/2005/03/12/1203pakbus.html \|archivedate=2008-07-20 }}</ref>
	India and Pakistan have no official trade relations due to ongoing tensions.		India and Pakistan have no official trade relations due to ongoing tensions.
Line 21:		Line 21:
	As per the [[Shimla Agreement]] of 1972 and in a bid to restore peaceful ties after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], both nations launched the [[Samjhauta Express]] (''Samjhauta'' means "accord" or "compromise" in [[Hindi language\|Hindi]] and [[Urdu language\|Urdu]]), connecting the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]] with the Indian town of [[Attari]], which is close proximity to the city of [[Amritsar]].<ref name="SE">{{cite news\|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000416/ina16011.html\|title=Samjhauta only between Attari and Wagah\|date=2000-04-16\|publisher=[[United News of India]]\|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> The [[Thar Express]] was launched to connect the Pakistani city of [[Karachi]] through the [[Khokhrapar]] station and the Indian city of [[Jodhpur]] through the [[Munabao]] station.<ref name="TE"/> Plans and negotiations are underway to launch a train service connecting the Pakistani city of [[Sialkot]] with the Indian city of [[Jammu]].		As per the [[Shimla Agreement]] of 1972 and in a bid to restore peaceful ties after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], both nations launched the [[Samjhauta Express]] (''Samjhauta'' means "accord" or "compromise" in [[Hindi language\|Hindi]] and [[Urdu language\|Urdu]]), connecting the Pakistani city of [[Lahore]] with the Indian town of [[Attari]], which is close proximity to the city of [[Amritsar]].<ref name="SE">{{cite news\|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20000416/ina16011.html\|title=Samjhauta only between Attari and Wagah\|date=2000-04-16\|publisher=[[United News of India]]\|accessdate=2008-05-16}}</ref> The [[Thar Express]] was launched to connect the Pakistani city of [[Karachi]] through the [[Khokhrapar]] station and the Indian city of [[Jodhpur]] through the [[Munabao]] station.<ref name="TE"/> Plans and negotiations are underway to launch a train service connecting the Pakistani city of [[Sialkot]] with the Indian city of [[Jammu]].

	On 18 February 2007, 2 carriages of the train experienced alleged terrorist bombings near [[Panipat]], [[Haryana]] in India. The [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]] claimed lives of 68 people.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news\|title=Dozens dead in India train blast\|work=[[BBC News]]\|date=2007-02-19\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6374377.stm\|accessdate=2007-02-19}}</ref> Both the Indian and Pakistani governments condemned the attack, and officials on both sides speculated that the perpetrators intended to disrupt improving relations between the two nations, There have been a number of breaks in the investigation of the bombings. As of 2011, nobody has been charged ~~for~~ the crime yet. It has been allegedly linked to Abhinav Bharat, a Hindu fundamentalist group in India. Other allegations also concurred on Lashkar-e-Taiba (a Pakistani-based terrorist organization).<ref>{{cite news\|publisher=DNA India\|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links_1463614\|title=US review finds five warnings of Headley’s militant links\|date=8 November 2010\|url-status=live\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215025707/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links-1463614\|archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref> A United States report declared Arif Qasmani to be involved in the attack.<ref>{{cite news\|publisher=indian express\|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/us-sanctions-pak-lashkar-man-cites-his-samjhauta-blast-link/484480/\|title=US sanctions Pak Lashkar man, cites his Samjhauta blast link\|date=3 July 2009\|url-status=live\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610070142/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/us-sanctions-pak-lashkar-man-cites-his-samjhauta-blast-link/484480/\|archivedate=10 June 2016}}</ref>		On 18 February 2007, 2 carriages of the train experienced alleged terrorist bombings near [[Panipat]], [[Haryana]] in India. The [[2007 Samjhauta Express bombings]] claimed the lives of 68 people.<ref name="BBC">{{cite news\|title=Dozens dead in India train blast\|work=[[BBC News]]\|date=2007-02-19\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6374377.stm\|accessdate=2007-02-19}}</ref> Both the Indian and Pakistani governments condemned the attack, and officials on both sides speculated that the perpetrators intended to disrupt improving relations between the two nations, There have been a number of breaks in the investigation of the bombings. As of 2011, nobody has been charged with the crime yet. It has been allegedly linked to Abhinav Bharat, a Hindu fundamentalist group in India. Other allegations also concurred with Lashkar-e-Taiba (a Pakistani-based terrorist organization).<ref>{{cite news\|publisher=DNA India\|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links_1463614\|title=US review finds five warnings of Headley’s militant links\|date=8 November 2010\|url-status=live\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215025707/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-us-review-finds-five-warnings-of-headley-s-militant-links-1463614\|archivedate=15 December 2013}}</ref> A United States report declared Arif Qasmani to be involved in the attack.<ref>{{cite news\|publisher=indian express\|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/us-sanctions-pak-lashkar-man-cites-his-samjhauta-blast-link/484480/\|title=US sanctions Pak Lashkar man, cites his Samjhauta blast link\|date=3 July 2009\|url-status=live\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610070142/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/us-sanctions-pak-lashkar-man-cites-his-samjhauta-blast-link/484480/\|archivedate=10 June 2016}}</ref>
	The [[Thar Express]] is the other passenger railway link between the two countries, running from [[Karachi]], Pakistan to [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan, India. It was not discontinued after [[Partition of India\|Partition]] but was after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. On 18 February 2006, it was revived after a period of 41 years.		The [[Thar Express]] is the other passenger railway link between the two countries, running from [[Karachi]], Pakistan to [[Jodhpur]], Rajasthan, India. It was not discontinued after [[Partition of India\|Partition]] but was after the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]. On 18 February 2006, it was revived after a period of 41 years.

Line 28:		Line 28:
	==Transport across Kashmir==		==Transport across Kashmir==
	{{See also\|Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus}}		{{See also\|Srinagar–Muzaffarabad Bus}}
	In 2003, after a [[ceasefire]] in Kashmir improved bilateral relations, the two governments worked on the proposal for a bus connecting the city of [[Srinagar]] in [[Indian Kashmir]] to the city of [[Muzaffarabad]] in [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir\|Pakistani Kashmir]].<ref name="H"/> The official agreement was promulgated on 16 February 2005 when the then-[[Ministry of External Affairs (India)\|Indian Minister of External Affairs]] [[K. Natwar Singh]] visited [[Pakistani President]] [[Pervez Musharaff]] in [[Rawalpindi]], Pakistan.<ref name="H"/> The decision was announced along with agreements on establishing the Thar Express train service. The bus runs a distance of 183 ~~kilometres~~ and was officially launched on 7 April 2005 and was flagged-off by the [[Indian Prime Minister]] Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]].<ref name="H"/><ref name="I2"/> The service was suspended for some time after [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]] due to aftereffect of road damage.		In 2003, after a [[ceasefire]] in Kashmir improved bilateral relations, the two governments worked on the proposal for a bus connecting the city of [[Srinagar]] in [[Indian Kashmir]] to the city of [[Muzaffarabad]] in [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir\|Pakistani Kashmir]].<ref name="H"/> The official agreement was promulgated on 16 February 2005 when the then-[[Ministry of External Affairs (India)\|Indian Minister of External Affairs]] [[K. Natwar Singh]] visited [[Pakistani President]] [[Pervez Musharaff]] in [[Rawalpindi]], Pakistan.<ref name="H"/> The decision was announced along with agreements on establishing the Thar Express train service. The bus runs a distance of 183 kilometers and was officially launched on 7 April 2005 and was flagged off by the [[Indian Prime Minister]] Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]].<ref name="H"/><ref name="I2"/> The service was suspended for some time after [[2005 Kashmir earthquake]] due to aftereffect of road damage.

	A bus service connecting [[Poonch (town)\|Poonch]] (India) with [[Rawalkote]] (Pakistan) over 55 km was also launched on 20 June 2006. On 5 June 2008 the passenger quota on the Poonch-Rawalkote Bus was doubled. Bus services connecting Kargil (India) with Skardu (Pakistan), Jammu (India) with Sialkot (Pakistan) and [[Mirpur, Pakistan\|Mirpur]] (Pakistan) are also being planned.<ref name="Z">{{cite web \|title=Kargil-Skardoo bus service welcomed \|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070318/j&k.htm#1 \|publisher=Tribune India \|date=2007-03-17 \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>		A bus service connecting [[Poonch (town)\|Poonch]] (India) with [[Rawalkote]] (Pakistan) over 55 km was also launched on 20 June 2006. On 5 June 2008, the passenger quota on the Poonch-Rawalkote Bus was doubled. Bus services connecting Kargil (India) with Skardu (Pakistan), Jammu (India) with Sialkot (Pakistan) and [[Mirpur, Pakistan\|Mirpur]] (Pakistan) are also being planned.<ref name="Z">{{cite web \|title=Kargil-Skardoo bus service welcomed \|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070318/j&k.htm#1 \|publisher=Tribune India \|date=2007-03-17 \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>
	<ref name="Y">{{cite web \|title=Beyond the bus service \|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/apr/27sareen.htm \|publisher=[[Rediff.com]] \|date=2005-04-27 \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>		<ref name="Y">{{cite web \|title=Beyond the bus service \|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/apr/27sareen.htm \|publisher=[[Rediff.com]] \|date=2005-04-27 \|accessdate=2008-06-17}}</ref>

	The Indian official position viewed the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as a "humanitarian measure without prejudice" and not affecting the rival policies and stands of the two governments on the Kashmir conflict.<ref name="H"/> To make the bus safe and fully operational, the LoC would ~~demined~~ if and where necessary and other security arrangements would be made as well.<ref name="H"/> Both governments announced that Indian and Pakistani citizens could travel anywhere in Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir, including the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which are part of India's claim on Kashmir and pre-1947 Kashmir.<ref name="H"/> In India, all citizens would have to apply at the Regional Passport Office in Srinagar, which was the designated authority to evaluate applications, verify identities and issue entry permits.<ref name="H"/> As of 25 September 2019 all transport routes have been closed between India and Pakistan after India revoked ~~the~~ article 370 giving special status to Indian administered Kashmir.<ref name="H"/>		The Indian official position viewed the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service as a "humanitarian measure without prejudice" and not affecting the rival policies and stands of the two governments on the Kashmir conflict.<ref name="H"/> To make the bus safe and fully operational, the LoC would demine if and where necessary and other security arrangements would be made as well.<ref name="H"/> Both governments announced that Indian and Pakistani citizens could travel anywhere in Indian Kashmir and Pakistani Kashmir, including the Northern Areas of Pakistan, which are part of India's claim on Kashmir and pre-1947 Kashmir.<ref name="H"/> In India, all citizens would have to apply at the Regional Passport Office in Srinagar, which was the designated authority to evaluate applications, verify identities and issue entry permits.<ref name="H"/> As of 25 September 2019 all transport routes have been closed between India and Pakistan after India revoked article 370 giving special status to Indian-administered Kashmir.<ref name="H"/>

	==References==		==References==